Thursday Nov 25, 2021

Thursday, November 25, 2021

San Juan The

50¢

Ex-Guaynabo Mayor O’Neill Pleads Guilty in Deal with Prosecution P5

In a Flawed Vote, Venezuela’s Maduro Shows One Way to Hold On to Power P14

DAILY

Star

Clemente Teammate Bill Virdon, Later Known as Low-Key Manager, Dies at 90

Laying a Promotional Foundation

P27

COR3 Signs Collaborative Agreements for Strategic Marketing with Medical Devices & Tourism Sectors P3

NOTICIAS EN ESPAÑOL P 19

2

Thursday, November 25, 2021

The San Juan Daily Star

3

November 25, 2021

The San Juan Daily Star, the only paper with News Service in English in Puerto Rico, publishes 7 days a week, with a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday edition, along with a Weekend Edition to cover Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

COR3 signs strategic marketing pacts with medical devices, tourism sectors

Today’s

Weather

By THE STAR STAFF

Day

Night

High

Low

87ºF

76ºF

Precip 19%

Precip 58%

Few Clouds

Partly Cloudy

Wind: Humidity: UV Index: Sunrise: Sunset:

F

From NNW 10 mph 68% 8 of 10 6:35 AM Local Time 5:45 PM Local Time

INDEX Local 3 Mainland 7 Business 11 International 14 Viewpoint 18 Noticias en Español 19 Entertainment 20 Health 22

Legals Sports Games Horoscope Cartoons

23 27 29 30 31

San JuanDAILY Star The

PO BOX 6537 CAGUAS PR 00726

sanjuanweeklypr@gmail.com (787) 743-5606

FAX

(787) 743-3346 • (787) 743-6537 (787) 743-5100

ollowing a series of roundtables, the Central Office for Recovery, Reconstruction and Resilience of Puerto Rico (COR3) has signed two collaborative agreements with the medical devices and tourism sectors to obtain data that will allow for the development of strategic marketing plans that promote investment in the island.

The announcement was made by COR3 Executive Director Manuel Laboy Rivera on Wednesday.

“The reconstruction process will modernize our road, electrical, maritime, air and recreational infrastructure, among other core changes to promote the economic development of Puerto Rico,” Laboy Rivera said. “Through these collaborative agreements, we will have the necessary information so that the organizations that have the task of attracting investment to the island can develop promotion plans showing the progress of the reconstruction projects and the valuable contribution they represent to strengthen the business environment on the island.”

The first collaborative agreement was established between COR3, the Department of Economic Development and Commerce, Invest PR, and the Medical Devices Cluster (MDC), the latter being the organization that groups companies in the vital economic sector that maintain operations on the island. As part of the efforts, the entities and organizations will soon meet to begin exchanging information that will allow them to execute their respective action plans.

Puerto Rico has some 30 medical device companies, including a dozen of the most recognized worldwide.

Through the agreement, investors will learn how reconstruction projects will make their operations more resilient.

MDC President Iliette M. Frontera said “being able to connect reconstruction investments to the environment of our existing and future medical devices operations and our suppliers is essential when it comes to articulating the value proposition of doing business in Puerto Rico.”

“Understanding the concurrent reconstruction efforts gives us the opportunity to integrate and collaborate by outlining a strategic plan where we accelerate the efforts and in turn strengthen our ecosystem in essential areas such as infrastructure,” she added.

Rodrick Miller, principal official of Invest PR, highlighted meanwhile that “we are living in a historical moment of socioeconomic transformation never seen in Puerto Rico.”

“Invest PR’s central mission is to promote the island’s potential as an investment destination, but it is a task that cannot be achieved alone,” he said. “For us it is a vital part of our mission to be part of collaborations like this one,

which pursue the reconstruction of key infrastructure for economic development.”

Tourism in Puerto Rico has boomed in recent months as a sign of recovery after the crisis generated by the spread of COVID-19. Considering this factor and the opportunities that reconstruction projects represent to support the development of the tourism sector, COR3 signed a collaborative agreement with Discover Puerto Rico and the Foundation for Puerto Rico.

The agreement calls for the identification of tourist interest spots around the island to prepare a detailed plan that shows how reconstruction projects in municipalities, government agencies and non-profit institutions will attract the interest of visitors, as well as investors.

“The improvements to the infrastructure affected by the recent disasters will bring great benefits to our inhabitants and will optimize the experience of visitors, who this year have returned to the island in what is shaping up to be a historic recovery for the tourism industry,” Discover Puerto Rico CEO Brad Dean said. “The agreement with COR3 will allow us to market the renewed infrastructure of Puerto Rico among our visitors and future travelers. The achievements of the reconstruction will be an advantage in the marketing of Puerto Rico as a renewed destination for business and tourism.”

Manuel Laboy Rivera, executive director of the Central Office for Recovery, Reconstruction and Resilience of Puerto Rico

4

The San Juan Daily Star

Thursday, November 25, 2021

AAFAF seeks service providers to implement parts of debt adjustment plan

By THE STAR STAFF

T

he Fiscal Agency and Financial Advisory Authority (AAFAF by its Spanish initials) is seeking service providers for the implementation of certain aspects of Puerto Rico’s debt adjustment plan, according to three separate requests for proposals issued this week.

Confirmation hearings on the plan of adjustment (POA) ended this week with Judge Laura Taylor Swain taking the matter under advisement rather than ruling immediately.

Proposals for each bidding process can be submitted until Dec. 2 at 5 p.m. EST. The AAFAF is seeking a trustee, paying agent, and registrar under a trust agreement for the new general obligation (GO) bonds; a trustee, paying agent, and registrar under one trust agreement for the GO contingent value instrument (CVI) and the clawback CVIs; as well as entities interested in serving as calculation agent for the CVIs and other obligations.

On the effective date of the commonwealth debt deal, the government is slated to issue new GO Bonds, consisting of new GO Current Interest Bonds, new

GO 5.375% Capital Appreciation Bonds and new GO 5.0% Capital Appreciation Bonds. Over $7.5 billion in GO bonds are slated to be issued. The commonwealth GO CVIs, in the aggregate amount of $3.5 billion, have a maturity date of July 1, 2043 and a final redemption payment

date of Nov. 1, 2043. The commonwealth must also issue the Clawback CVIs, in the amount of $5.2 billion, having a maturity date of July 1, 2051 and a final redemption payment date of Nov. 1, 2051 The trustee or paying agent must be a trust company or bank with powers of a trust

company, having a capital and surplus of not less than $50 million and an investment grade rating from S&P, Moody’s or Fitch.

In order to allow AAFAF to conduct an assessment of potential conflicts of interest, the trustee must identify any existing or potential conflict of interest, or any relationships that might be considered a conflict of interest, that may affect or involve transaction(s) for the Financial Oversight and Management Board, AAFAF or the commonwealth, including but not limited to conflicts with financial advisers or law firms providing services to the oversight board, AAFAF or the commonwealth.

The entities interested in becoming calculation agents must be nationally recognized accounting or consulting firms. The selected firm will monitor the sales and use tax, the pension reserve and general rum tax collections, among other services.

The proposed eighth amended POA would reduce the commonwealth’s outstanding debt by almost 80%, from $33 billion to $7.5 billion. The restructuring also covers the Employees Retirement System and the Public Buildings Authority, both of which filed for bankruptcy in 2017.

Private employers have until Tuesday to seek Christmas bonus exemption

By THE STAR STAFF

P

uerto Rico’s private employers have until Tuesday, Nov. 30 to ask the island Labor and Human Resources Department for an exemption from the payment of Christmas bonuses to their workers, Labor and Human Resources (DTRH) Secretary Carlos J. Rivera Santiago announced Wednesday.

To date, the DTRH has received 30 requests for exemption from payment of the Christmas bonus, of which 21 were accepted, six were partially granted by allowing the employer to make 15% of the required payment, one was denied and two are in the evaluation process.

Act 148 of June 30, 1969, known as the “Private Company Bonus Law,” establishes that the payment of the Christmas bonus to employees is made between Nov. 15 and Dec. 15 of the current year.

Every employer is obliged to comply with the payment, except for the exceptions covered by law.

“It is important that employers who are prevented from paying the Christmas bonus for this year 2021, be it due to economic losses, insufficient earnings, among other

Labor and Human Resources Secretary Carlos J. Rivera Santiago unexpected events in the context of the pandemic, comply with the law and submit an application to the DTRH for an exemption so that it can be evaluated and considered on its merits in the established time,” Rivera Santiago said.

The Labor secretary recalled that the business or employer that wishes to request a Christmas payment exemption must accompany the request with the revised audited

statements detailing profit and loss, signed and, in addition, sealed in original by an authorized public accountant.

For more information, employers, and also employees, can access www.trabajo.pr.gov/, under Worker - Labor Standards Negotiated - or contact 787-754-5353, extensions 2450 or 2451 or the DTRH offices in the regions of Arecibo, Mayagüez, Ponce, Caguas and Humacao.

The San Juan Daily Star

Thursday, November 25, 2021

5

Ex-Guaynabo Mayor O’Neill pleads guilty in plea deal

By THE STAR STAFF

F

ormer Guaynabo Mayor Héctor O’Neill García pleaded guilty on Wednesday after reaching an agreement with the prosecution ahead of a trial in which he faced charges of sexual assault, Act 54 domestic abuse and harassment in the workplace, along with a violation of the Government Ethics Law. Judge María Trigo Ferraiouli reportedly accepted the reclassification of crimes, as well as the removal of the electronic bracelet used

by O’Neill García.

The former mayor of Guaynabo said his guilty plea was made “freely and voluntarily.”

Former Guaynabo Mayor Héctor O’Neill García

Last week, the ex-mayor’s defense team, led by attorney Harry Padilla, waived the right to a jury trial.

In 2017, the Justice secretary recommended that a special independent prosecutor be assigned to O’Neill, who, according to the Justice Department’s investigation, could have committed 20 law violations against two victims. The Justice secretary said O’Neill made a transactional agreement with a woman involved, a municipal police officer who made the sexual harassment suit against the mayor public. The other victim, a woman whose identity wasn’t revealed, resides abroad, but “had agreed to cooperate.”

The Office of the Special Independent Prosecutor Panel agreed to appoint an SIP and also announced the mayor’s suspension.The office at the time ordered O’Neill to immediately abandon municipal installations and to hand over all municipal property in his possession, including cars, phones, computers, credit cards, gas cards, documents and files, among other items. He resigned on June 5, 2017.

In 1993, after the sudden death of Guaynabo Mayor Alejandro Cruz, O’Neill decided to run for the seat. He was elected in a special election in 1993 and was reelected for five consecutive terms.

Top mental health official urges moderation at Thanksgiving

By THE STAR STAFF

C

Carlos Rodríguez Mateo, head of the Mental Health and Anti-Addiction Services Administration

arlos Rodríguez Mateo, head of the Mental Health and Anti-Addiction Services Administration (ASSMCA), urged islanders on Wednesday to celebrate Thanksgiving Day with moderation and respect by sharing with family and other loved ones.

“This has been a challenging year in which we lost many Puerto Ricans to COVID-19. This fact should lead us to reflect on the fragility of life and move us to give thanks for being alive, respect the lives of others and give thanks for all that is significant that we do have,” Rodríguez Mateo said. “Based on this, I call for healthfulness and encourage citizens to use moderation if they are going to consume intoxicating beverages. We do not need more tragedies or loss of life. Remember that moderation is the

best way to preserve your life and that of others. Please do it this way.”

The ASSMCA administrator emphasized that during the holidays, many people experience emotions of sadness, pain, anguish, fear, anger and emptiness. In general, he said, this occurs due to multiple factors such as financial difficulties, losses, delicate health situations, mental disorders and addiction disorders.

“Some people do not have the strength or support resources to cope with problems and may develop depression or seek escape from suicide,” Rodríguez Mateo said. “If you notice that someone close to you needs emotional help, please support them and seek help. You can call the PAS Line at 1-800-981-0023. This line has behavioral professionals available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”

Designated insurance commissioner resigns

By THE STAR STAFF

WE BUY OR RENT IN 24HRS

P

uerto Rico’s designated insurance commissioner, Mariano Mier Romeu, tendered his resignation late Wednesday.

Romeu had been appointed -- for the third time -- by Gov. Pedro Pierluisi Urrutia.

The island Senate did not take up his confirmation process in the recently concluded ordinary session, so the governor would have to have withdrawn Romeu’s appointment in order to resubmit it.

Romeu had served in the post for a year.

787-349-1000

SALES • RENTALS • VACATIONS RESIDENTIAL • COMMERCIAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT (SOME RESTRICTIONS MAY APPLY).

FREE CONSULTS REALTOR

Ray A. Ruiz Licensed Real Estate Broker • Lic.19004 Mariano Mier Romeu

rruizrealestate1@gmail.com

6

The San Juan Daily Star

Thursday, November 25, 2021

Judge hears arguments on Title VI restructuring of PRIFA, CCDA bonds

By THE STAR STAFF

T

he Financial Oversight and Management Board for Puerto Rico argued this week before the Title III Bankruptcy Court in support of the restructuring of bonds issued by the Puerto Rico Infrastructure Financing Authority (PRIFA) and the Puerto Rico Convention Center District Authority (CCDA), two important steps in Puerto Rico’s overall debt restructuring process.

The debts of the two entities are being restructured using Title VI of the Puerto Rico Oversight, Management and Economic Stability Act (PROMESA) instead of Title III, which provides for restructuring in court. Title VI provides a collective action mechanism for

a restructuring of financial debt out of court except for its approval. An agreement is negotiated between creditors and bondholders and then taken to the judge for approval.

The Title VI qualifying modifications for PRIFA and CCDA are parallel to and complement the transactions contemplated in the Plan of Adjustment for the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico under Title III of PROMESA. The oversight board said it had filed proposals to modify $1.9 billion of PRIFA bonds and about $383 million of CCDA bonds on Oct. 8, 2021, under Title VI of PROMESA as part of an integrated approach to restructuring the debt of the Puerto Rico government and various instrumentalities.

U.S. District Court Judge Laura Taylor

Swain heard arguments this week for the restructuring of the two entities and took the matter under advisement.

Bondholders of CCDA and PRIFA held certain asserted clawback claims against the commonwealth for monies historically conditionally appropriated to CCDA and PRIFA. The terms under the Title VI modifications reflect the agreement CCDA and PRIFA bondholders had previously reached to settle their asserted clawback claims in the Plan of Adjustment and qualifying modifications for CCDA and PRIFA, the oversight board said in a statement.

Under the restructuring, PRIFA bondholders would receive $260 million in cash, inclusive of restriction fees. In addition, the

agreement includes a contingent value instrument based on potential outperformance of Puerto Rico’s 5.5% sales and use tax relative to projections in the 2020 Certified Fiscal Plan and Puerto Rico’s general fund rum tax collections relative to projections in the 2021 Certified Fiscal Plan. Cash consideration to all PRIFA claims reflects a fixed reduction of the amount of PRIFA claims of around 90%.

CCDA bondholders will receive $112 million in cash, inclusive of restriction fees and consummation costs, from accounts associated with the hotel room tax historically conditionally appropriated by commonwealth law to CCDA. That amount represents a fixed reduction of the amount of CCDA claims of around 70%, the oversight board said.

RUM scientist tapped for NIH scientific review post

By THE STAR STAFF

D

r. Maribella Domenech García, a professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of Puerto Rico Mayagüez Campus (RUM by its Spanish acronym), was selected by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) as a member of its Center for Scientific Review.

Her new role will be specifically in the Cellular and Molecular Technologies (CMT) Study Section, where she will be responsible for reviewing grant applications submitted to the NIH, and then making recommendations on them, according to their scientific value and potential contribution to the field of health science and engineering.

“I am the first professor at the May-

agüez Campus and the UPR to participate in the CMT, and one of the few researchers in [Puerto Rico] who has been selected to serve on review panels at the federal agency NIH,” Domenech García said in a written statement. “For me it is a great achievement, since it increases the representation and visibility of Latina engineers in that forum. I consider this new assignment to be an important part of my professional development and, without a doubt, a critical component to support my progress as a researcher and in collaborative projects associated with research centers in our institution. Likewise, I believe that it will help me stay at the forefront, especially when evaluating innovation as a criterion in proposals.”

Domenech García added that one of her greatest aspirations in the new position

Dr. Maribella Domenech García is to help minimize the implicit bias associated with minorities that often affects the perception of competitiveness of the proposals coming from underrepresented institutions.

The scientist, who is the principal investigator in several projects funded by the NIH, including a recent million-dollar project in the area of cancer health, noted that the process of reviewing research

proposals in federal entities is based on the efforts of volunteer reviewers. In the case of the NIH, the experts in charge of this role are invited to serve as guest or permanent members and are selected for their competence, capacity and achievements, among other things, for the funds obtained in their investigative management.

“These merits have to validate an established and successful independent research track record in the field,” Domenech García said. “Reviewers are nominated by the agency’s scientific review officer to serve as a permanent member of a panel related to the investigator’s field.

Then, it is evaluated by the agency, which accepts the person in his/her role with a service commitment for a period of no less than four years, no more than six.”

LUMA Energy CEO not amused by Thanksgiving meme

By THE STAR STAFF

L

UMA Energy, the private operator of the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority’s transmission and distribution system, reacted Wednesday to a “meme” that has gone viral on social networks and asked that the public ignore it.

The meme in question depicts a map

of Puerto Rico that details by color the hours of service interruption, as a measure, says the meme, to alert the public “when you can cook your turkey” on Thanksgiving.

“We will always communicate the official information of LUMA through our web channels, app, and social networks.

Do not pay attention to information or

images that may appear on other networks or pages,” LUMA President & CEO Wayne Stensby said in a press release, apparently finding no humor in the meme. “These could be false and malicious as is the case with some memes.”

Stensby thanked his clients for their feedback and their “continued collaboration.”

LUMA Energy President & CEO Wayne Stensby

The San Juan Daily Star

Thursday, November 25, 2021

7

Thanksgiving in a town built on lederhosen and limitless meals

By SARA BONISTEEL

N

o matter the season, every all-youcan-eat dinner here draws from the palette of Thanksgiving: creamy drifts of mashed potatoes, golden swirls of buttered egg noodles, army-green forests of thoroughly cooked broccoli and garnet puddles of cranberry sauce.

For more than a century, this city in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula has made its reputation on family-style chicken dinners, served much the same way they were in 1937, when The New York Times proclaimed Frankenmuth “a mecca for gourmets.”

Chickens are boiled whole, left to chill, then cut into 10 parts that are breaded and lightly fried until the meat is hot and juicy.

But roast turkey joins the chicken dinner for the holidays, and Thursday is expected to be the busiest day of the year for the two “Frankenmuth dinner” restaurants that face each other across South Main Street: Bavarian Inn and Zehnder’s of Frankenmuth.

Nearly 30,000 diners are expected during the four-day holiday weekend.

“It’s the food,” said Dorothy Zehnder, a founder of the Bavarian Inn, who will turn 100 on Dec. 1. “They know they get good food, and Thanksgiving and Christmas are really family affairs, family days.”

They also get nostalgia by the acre, served up with the gusto of Lawrence Welk at Champagne-bubble time. Like those who travel to Solvang, California, or Leavenworth, Washington, visitors to Frankenmuth experience a simulacrum of another place — or in this case, many places, from old Bavaria to colonial America to the North Pole — filled with polka music, wine tastings, water slides and reminders that the rock band Greta Van Fleet started here.

Frankenmuth’s German heritage is woven through the city, in the Bavarian Inn’s 50-foot Glockenspiel tower, in the hotel rooms named for founding families and in the Fraktur lettering everywhere. The front of the post office sports larger-thanlife cutouts of Hummel figurines mailing porcelain letters straight, one imagines, to a visitor’s heart.

The tug at the heartstrings is strongest at Thanksgiving and Christmas. A familystyle dinner, followed by a visit to Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland, which bills itself

Dorothy Zehnder, whose family runs the Bavarian Inn and a shopping center, at the Bavarian Inn in Frankenmuth, Mich., Nov. 6, 2021. Bavarian charm, Christmas knickknacks and all-you-can-eat restaurants draw hordes every holiday season to the twinkly streets of Frankenmuth. as the world’s largest Christmas store, is a ready-made memory lying in wait.

This year, hopes are high. Michigan’s restaurants reopened to full capacity just this summer, and this month the border opened to Canadian visitors, who before the pandemic made up a sizable portion of the out-of-town guests. The spacious dining rooms, which can seat 1,200 or more, were dark last Thanksgiving. Takeout was the only option, with only a small fraction of the staff running the show; the number of employees at the Bavarian Inn is still below pre-pandemic levels, while Zehnder’s has just about returned to normal.

“Takeout, for us, is like telling a car dealer, ‘You can’t sell cars but you can do oil changes,’” said Al Zehnder, CEO of Zehnder’s of Frankenmuth.

Mention Frankenmuth to a Michigander and she’ll be quick to note whether she comes from a family of Zehnder’s loyalists or Bavarian Inn fans. The two restaurants have clear stylistic differences, starting with

the facades. Zehnder’s looks like Mount Vernon, if George Washington advertised with neon. The Bavarian Inn has a “hills are alive” feel.

Servers at the Bavarian Inn wear dirndls or lederhosen. Those at Zehnder’s dress in the restaurant’s colonial theme, with women in mobcaps and white aprons, and men in banded-collared shirts with knickers.

The meal at Zehnder’s starts with garlic toasts and orbs of spreadable cheese and pâté, while at the Bavarian Inn, the opening attraction might be an accordion serenade by Linda Lee, an honoree of the Polka Hall of Fame. “They have more American food, and we have more German food,” said Dorothy Zehnder of the Bavarian Inn. But the all-you-can-eat menus are largely the same. Both restaurants offer chicken noodle soup and stollen slices the size of sandwich bread, conservatively studded with candied fruits. And both end

their bottomless meals with soft serve ice cream. At Zehnder’s, the dessert is topped with a translucent plastic animal the restaurant calls a Zoo Pick. At the Bavarian Inn, it’s a pick of a boy or girl dressed in Alpine clothing.

Al Zehnder once thought of saving a few bucks by getting rid of the Zoo Picks.

Customers howled. “We had to get them back,” he said, adding, “The expectation of the guests is really singular.”

And there’s more. Beneath each restaurant is an underground warren of shops selling toys, collectibles, cookware and Frankenmuth favorites like fresh butterhorns, sweet rolls that will survive a long car ride home. The idea is to keep guests entertained while they wait for a table.

“We live in an ‘Ozzie and Harriet’ kind of a town,” said Wayne Bronner, CEO of Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland.

“I explain that to people, and the younger people, they say, ‘Who are Ozzie and Harriet?’”

8

The San Juan Daily Star

Thursday, November 25, 2021

Despite vaccines, the US has lost more lives to COVID this year than last

By NEIL MacFARQUHAR

T

his was supposed to be the year vaccines brought the pandemic under control. Instead, more people in the United States have died from COVID-19 this year than died last year, before vaccines were available.

As of Tuesday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had recorded 386,233 deaths involving COVID-19 in 2021, compared with 385,343 in 2020. The final number for this year will be higher, not only because there is more than a month left but because it takes time for local agencies to report deaths to the CDC.

COVID-19 has also accounted for a higher percentage of U.S. deaths this year than it did last year: about 13% compared with 11%.

Experts say the higher death toll is a result of a confluence of factors: most crucially lower-than-needed vaccination rates, but also the relaxation of everyday precautions, like masks and social distancing, and the rise of the highly contagious delta variant.

Essentially, public health experts said, many Americans are behaving as if COVID-19 is now a manageable, endemic disease rather than a crisis — a transition that will happen eventually but has not happened yet.

Flags around the Washington Monument in Washington on Sept. 15, 2021, are part of artist Suzanne Brennan Firstenberg’s temporary art installation, “In America: Remember,” in remembrance of Americans who have died of COVID-19. More people in the United States have died from COVID-19 this year than died last year, before vaccines were available.

Yet many are also refusing to get vaccinated in the numbers required to make that transition to what scientists call “endemicity,” which would mean the virus would still circulate at a lower level with periodic increases and decreases but not spike in the devastating cycles that have characterized the pandemic. Just 59% of Americans are fully vaccinated, the lowest rate of any Group of 7 major industrialized nation.

“We have the very unfortunate situation of not a high level of vaccine coverage and basically, in most places, a return to normal behaviors that put people at greater risk of coming in contact with the virus,” said Jennifer Nuzzo, a public health researcher and senior scholar at Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security. “If you take no protections whatsoever, you have a virus that is capable of moving faster and you have dangerous gaps in immunity, that adds up to, unfortunately, a lot of continued serious illness and deaths.”

Dr. Celine Gounder, an infectious disease specialist at Bellevue Hospital Center, estimated that roughly 15% of the U.S. population might have immunity from prior infection, which is not as strong or durable

as immunity from vaccines.

Many of those people have also been vaccinated, but even assuming the two groups didn’t overlap and so 74% of Americans had some level of immunity, that still would not be enough to end the pandemic, said Gounder. It would probably take an 85% to 90% vaccination rate to make the coronavirus endemic, she said.

“When vaccines rolled out, people in their minds said, ‘COVID is over,’” Gounder said. “And so even if not enough people are vaccinated, their behavior returned — at least for some people — to more normal, and with that changing behavior you have an increase in transmission.”

Some news outlets reported last week that confirmed 2021 deaths had surpassed 2020 deaths. Those reports stemmed from counts of deaths based on when the deaths were reported, not when they happened — meaning some deaths from late 2020 were counted in early 2021. The CDC counts, which did not show that mark being reached until this week, are more accurate because they are based on the dates on death certificates.

The San Juan Daily Star

Wednesday, November 17, 2021

CARRERAS QUE CAMBIAN VIDAS

9

Martes, 30 de Noviembre

FERIA DE EMPLEO EN CAGUAS

9:00am a 4:00pm Salón de actividades Wilnelia Merced

(Casa Alcaldia William Miranda Marin Calle Padial Esquina Avenida Josá Mercado)

E D O! O T N IEN O ¡B AM UT L EC

Beneficios

R

Beneficios únicos Oportunidad de crecimiento

¡CRECE A NUESTRO EQUIPO! Somos la principal empresa de manufactura de dispositivos médicos en la isla. Manufacturamos soluciones médicas y tecnología que alivian el dolor, restauran la salud y extienden la vida.

BÚSCANOS: www.ctspr.com

facebook.com/ctsempleos

instagram.com/ctsempleos

Ensamblador(a) - Municipio de Juncos, PR - Indeed.com

Salarios competitivos en el mercado

COMUNÍCATE HOY, Y TE ASESORAMOS:

787-733-6110 maribel.colon@ctspr.com

10

The San Juan Daily Star

Thursday, November 25, 2021

Jury finds rally organizers responsible for Charlottesville violence

By NEIL MacFARQUHAR

J

urors on Tuesday found the main organizers of the deadly far-right rally in Charlottesville in 2017 liable under state law for injuries to counterprotesters, awarding more than $25 million in damages.

But the jury deadlocked on two federal conspiracy charges.

Still, the verdict was a clear rebuke of the defendants — a mix of white nationalists, neo-Nazis and Confederate sympathizers. They were found under Virginia law to have engaged in a conspiracy that led to injuries during the rally. The “Unite the Right” march began as a demonstration over the removal of a Confederate statue and led to the death of counterprotester Heather Heyer, 32, when she was struck by a car driven by one of the defendants.

The lawsuit, heard in U.S. District Court in Charlottesville, was filed by four men and five women, including four of the people who were injured when Heyer was killed.

The plaintiffs, whose injuries included concussions and a shattered leg, testified that they suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder, insomnia, the inability to concentrate, flashbacks and panic attacks.

All sought compensatory and unspecified punitive damages, including payment for medical costs as well as $3 million to $10 million for pain and suffering depending on the degree of their injuries.

The most prominent defendants included Richard Spencer, once seen as the leader of the alt-right in the United States; Jason Kessler, who organized the event; and Christopher Cantwell, a vocal neo-Nazi podcaster who is already serving 41 months in federal prison in a separate threats and extortion case.

The counterprotesters’ lawyers said that they were considering pursuing a retrial on the federal conspiracy claim. However, the verdict that was returned achieved the same ends in holding the rally’s organizers responsible for violence motivated by racial, religious or ethnic animosity, they said.

“Each and every one of them was found to be part of a conspiracy, and these award damage numbers send a message,” said Karen L. Dunn, one of the lead lawyers for the plaintiffs.

The largest sums were awarded for punitive damages, with 12 individuals ordered to pay $500,000 apiece while five white nationalist organizations were assessed $1 million each. Any punitive damages paid will be divided evenly among the plaintiffs.

Fighting in the streets of Charlottesville, Va., where white nationalists faced counterprotestors at a “Unite the Right” rally, Aug. 12, 2017. Jurors found the main organizers of the deadly right-wing rally in Charlottesville, Va., in 2017 liable under state law, awarding more than $25 million in damages, but deadlocked on federal conspiracy charges.

James Fields, already serving multiple life sentences for murdering the counterprotester with his car, was found liable for $12 million in punitive damages, as well as hundreds of thousands of dollars for medical expenses stemming from assault, battery and emotional distress.

Lawyers for the far-right organizers said they would seek to reduce those amounts, and there was little chance that their clients could pay in any event. “The defendants in this case are destitute, none of them have any money,” said Joshua Smith, who represented Matthew Heimbach, Matthew Parrott and the Traditionalist Worker Party, modeled on the Germany’s Nazi Party.

Smith sought to portray the decision as a victory for his clients, saying that the lawyers for the other side had expected to “waltz through” the case. A small group of protesters shouted “Get out of town!” at him as he stepped up to address reporters outside the federal courthouse.

Legal experts, however, said that the jury’s decision came down heavily on the side of the plaintiffs. “Though there is some ambiguity in the verdict, the bottom line is that the jury found for the plaintiffs and awarded significant compensatory and punitive damages,” said Richard C. Schragger, a professor at the University of Virginia Law School who had been following the case closely. Schragger said the outstanding

question was why the jury found a racial conspiracy to commit violence under state law but deadlocked over a similar provision of federal law.

He and others noted the explanation of the federal statute in the instructions received by the jury was slightly more complex, including references to constitutional amendments and civil rights.

They said that in addition to holding march organizers responsible for the violence, they hoped to deter hate groups from mounting similar toxic spectacles in the future, relying on lawsuits in the absence of decisive action by the criminal justice system.

The rally in 2017, which featured extremists carrying torches and chanting racist slogans, was organized as a protest against the removal of a statue of Robert E. Lee that has since been dismantled. But its broader aim was to move the far right from the internet fringes into the national mainstream.

The federal charges related to whether the rally organizers had engaged in a racebased violent conspiracy, which is illegal under an 1871 federal law known as the Ku Klux Klan Act that was designed to prevent vigilantes from denying newly freed slaves their civil rights.

Many of them readily admitted to their racial animosity, but said they were exercising their First Amendment rights with a legal permit for the rally, not participating in a conspiracy to commit violence. They blamed the violence entirely on Fields, the demonstrator who mowed down counterprotesters with his car.

The jury was asked to decide whether each of the defendants had engaged in a conspiracy, and, if so, what compensation should be paid to the nine people suing them.

The jury began deliberating on Friday.

The 77 pages of instructions from the judge explained how engaging in a conspiracy did not require all participants to forge an agreement or meet in the same room, or even to know one another. Nor did a conspiracy require the participants to have caused the violence themselves. The main point was that they all shared an objective and could foresee the violence that occurred.

The plaintiffs drew a line from Fields through all the organizations that participated, linking him first to Vanguard America, the group that he marched with in Charlottesville, and then to the other organizations and their leaders. Lawyers

for the far-right protesters argued that it was just online chatter that did not amount to strong ties between them, much less a conspiracy. None of the other defendants knew Fields beforehand, they said, and he was not involved in organizing the event.

The four-week trial, long delayed because of the coronavirus pandemic, underscored how much the rally organizers and their groups were already sidelined, squabbling among themselves and financially strapped in the wake of the violent debacle in Charlottesville. Spencer, who defended himself during the trial, described the case in 2020 as “financially crippling.”

Seven defendants ignored the proceedings.

Their cases will be addressed separately by the court.

In seeking to prove that the violence was foreseeable, the plaintiffs highlighted how often the idea of hitting protesters with cars came up beforehand.

Samantha Froelich, who was dating two of the main organizers simultaneously in the lead-up to the rally, but who has since left the movement, testified that hitting protesters with cars was discussed at a party earlier that summer in the “Fash Loft,” short for fascist, the nickname for Spencer’s apartment in Alexandria, Virginia.

After the violence, Parrott, whose Traditionalist Worker Party has since disbanded, and the others celebrated. “Charlottesville was a tremendous victory,” he said in a post. “The alt-right is not a pathetic and faceless internet fad, but a fearsome streetfighting force.”

While the plaintiffs’ case took three weeks and 36 witnesses, the defendants rested after a day and a half, having made four broad arguments. First, they argued that while others might deplore their views, the First Amendment allowed them. Second, that they acted in self-defense. Third, that the police were to blame for not keeping the opposing sides apart. Fourth, that none of them could anticipate what Fields did because none knew him.

The lawyers for the plaintiffs said that the verdict was a condemnation of what happened in 2017 in Charlottesville.

“I think this verdict is a message today that this country does not tolerate violence based on racial and religious hatred in any form, and that no one will ever bring violence to the streets of Charlottesville, Virginia, ever again,” said Roberta Kaplan, the lead attorney who organized the case through a nonprofit organization called Integrity First for America.

The San Juan Daily Star

Thursday, November 25, 2021

11

As federal disaster aid languishes, private lenders are filling the gap

By CHRISTOPHER FLAVELLE

P

rivate lenders will play a greater role in funding disaster recovery under a program announced Tuesday, moving to fill a gap left by sluggish federal aid programs that take years to get money to victims of floods, wildfires and other catastrophes.

The program, funded in part by financial giant Morgan Stanley, will pay owners of apartment buildings to rebuild more quickly, so they don’t have to wait for federal funds. Those loans would be repaid by taxpayers — including interest paid to Morgan Stanley, which concerns some climate and disaster experts.

“It’s definitely important to explore new ways of speeding up assistance timelines,” said Miyuki Hino, a professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill who focuses on managing the effects of climate change. “But this arrangement poses some new challenges.”

The program reflects the government’s struggle to keep up with the frequency and intensity of disasters as climate change worsens. Victims often wait years for help to get back into their homes because money for repairs moves so slowly. Those with the longest waits are often renters, who are more likely than homeowners to be people of color or to have low incomes.

“Disaster recovery is not equitable in this country,” said Priscilla Almodovar, president and CEO of Enterprise Community Partners, a Washington-based housing nonprofit. “Renters are the hardest hit.”

To shorten the wait, Enterprise and Morgan Stanley said they will begin lending money to owners of multifamily rental buildings to repair the damage to those complexes, making it quicker for renters to move back home.

The loans are to be paid back with interest using disaster money from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The department provides the bulk of federal disaster recovery money through its Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery

A water truck sprayed the remains of homes and businesses in Greenville, Calif., destroyed in the Dixie Fire. program.

Morgan Stanley declined an interview request. Joan Tally, managing director for community development finance at Morgan Stanley, said in a statement that the program would “accelerate the flow of capital for affordable rental housing in communities impacted by natural disasters.”

On average, it takes 20 months after a disaster before HUD’s housing assistance programs begin distributing money, according to research by the Urban Institute. And those programs were often still distributing money two years after that.

The delay in distributing the money reflects the ad hoc nature of HUD’s di-

saster recovery spending. Congress has never given the department permission to establish a permanent program for disasters. Instead, lawmakers must decide after every disaster whether to give HUD money to help victims.

As a result, the delay between a disaster and Congress providing funding for recovery through HUD can last months or years. The agency must then spend months creating a program to distribute the money to states, which in turn decide how to distribute it to local governments.

The latest round of disaster money approved by Congress demonstrates that delay. The legislation, which President Joe Biden signed Sept. 30, provides

funds to help people in 10 states recover from hurricanes and other disasters in 2020, most of which occurred more than a year ago.

HUD officials declined to discuss the matter on the record. The agency made available a senior official who spoke on the condition that he not be identified. He said HUD could reduce the time it takes to provide disaster money by as much as 90% if Congress made the disaster recovery program permanent.

Lawmakers have introduced bills that would make those changes. But those bills have yet to pass. Almodovar, the head of Enterprise, said her group has also pushed Congress to make that change.

Enterprise declined to say how much it would charge in interest for its loans, saying only that it would be in the “mid-single digits.” Almodovar said the rates must reflect the fact that the loans are not backed up by collateral.

She said that funding disaster loans through the private market provides access to a deep source of money, making it possible to expand the program, which is starting in Louisiana, Oregon and Iowa.

In the absence of fixes to the disaster recovery program, climate experts said the new lending arrangement from Enterprise and Morgan Stanley was useful.

That program “responds to a real need,” said Liz Koslov, a professor in the urban planning department at the University of California, Los Angeles. But she said it was nonetheless problematic, part of a broader trend of private companies that profit from disasters.

Carlos Martín, a fellow at the Brookings Institution who has researched the effect of federal disaster programs, said the poor treatment of renters concerned him more than companies making money from those events. He said the new program is likely to help renters move back home faster.

“We’re neglecting rental communities,” Martín said. “Our federal disaster relief response focuses on property and not people.”

12

The San Juan Daily Star

Thursday, November 25, 2021

Open or closed on Thanksgiving? Here are stores’ plans for Thursday and Friday.

By CORAL MURPHY MARCOS

M

any retail giants have opted to close on Thanksgiving Day during the coronavirus pandemic, citing safety concerns and gratitude for their employees.

Retailers also have expanded their online offerings, as well as their pickup and delivery services, to meet customer demand amid lockdowns and pandemic restrictions.

For the second year in a row, Walmart and Target will close on Thanksgiving, repeating the move as retailers across the country scramble to hire or retain employees, with millions fewer Americans working than before the pandemic and more people quitting their jobs than ever before.

Here are some retailers’ plans for Thursday and Friday hours: CLOSED Walmart Walmart will spread out its Black Friday discounts to three events throughout November.

Target Target stores will close for Thanksgiving every year from now on. Most will reopen at 7 a.m. local time Friday.

Nordstrom On Friday, hours may vary by store, and Nordstrom encouraged customers to search for holiday hours in its store locator online.

Costco Most Costco stores will reopen as early as 9 a.m. Friday.

Apple On Friday, store hours vary, with some stores opening earlier than usual. Customers can view their local store’s hours on Apple’s website.

Best Buy Friday hours may vary from normal operation, with some stores opening as early as 5 a.m. Customers can view their local store’s hours with Best Buy’s store locator.

TJX Companies T.J. Maxx, Marshalls, HomeGoods, Sierra and HomeSense stores will be closed on Thanksgiving. Most stores are scheduled to reopen at 7 a.m. Friday.

Kohl’s Stores will reopen at 5 a.m. Friday and close at midnight.

Lowe’s Stores will operate regular business hours Friday and throughout the weekend.

Home Depot On Friday, stores will open earlier than usual. Most are set to open at 6 a.m.

Home Depot recommends using its store locator to verify hours.

Macy’s Stores will reopen at 6 a.m. Friday and stay open until midnight.

Pandora Pandora will close its stores on Thanksgiving Day for the second year in a row.

than usual.

Starbucks Hours may vary by location, with some closing as early as 5 p.m.

Walgreens Most stores will have adjusted hours from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; 24-hour locations and 24-hour pharmacies will remain open.

CVS Most locations, including 24-hour

locations, will have regular hours on Thanksgiving and Friday. The company recommends calling ahead or visiting cvs.com to confirm local hours, as some locations will reduce hours or close for the holiday.

Dollar General Stores will open an hour earlier than usual, at 7 a.m., and close an hour later, at 10 p.m. Regular hours resume Friday.

OPEN Kroger Most locations will close by 5 p.m.

On Friday, most will open an hour later

Target will close its stores on Thanksgiving Day for the second year in a row.

The San Juan Daily Star

Thursday, November 25, 2021

13 Stocks

Wall Street pares losses on positive economic data, tech recovery W all Street ended higher on Wednesday, lifted by gains in Nvidia and other tech stocks, while Gap and Nordstrom (NYSE:JWN) shares tumbled following weak quarterly reports.

Nordstrom and Gap dived after the two retailers reported weak quarterly results and warned of supply chain problems ahead of the crucial U.S. holiday shopping season.

The S&P 500 consumer discretionary sector index rose after data showed U.S. consumer spending increased more than expected in October.

The so-called core PCE price index, the Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation measure, also accelerated in October.

Nvidia rallied as it bounced back from a selloff in Big Tech stocks early this week. The graphics chipmaker is now up about 150% in 2021.

Various Federal Reserve policymakers said they would be open to speeding up elimination of their bond-buying program and move more quickly to raise interest rates if high inflation held, minutes of the U.S. central bank’s last policy meeting showed.

Other data showed weekly jobless claims fell and third-quarter GDP was revised higher, while a University of Michigan survey showed consumer sentiment improved in November.

Coronavirus infections broke records in parts of Europe on Wednesday, with investors worried the continent was again the epicenter of a pandemic that has prompted new curbs on movement.

“Equities are under pressure from a combination of rising interest rates, more cautionary news on the earnings front, and also from COVID developments in Europe,” said Greg Bassuk, chief executive at AXS Investments in Port Chester, New York.

The U.S. stock market will be closed on Thursday for the Thanksgiving holiday, and it will have a shortened session on Friday.

Real estate led among 11 S&P 500 sector indexes with a gain of over 1% for most of the session.

Unofficially, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.02% to end at 35,807.48 points, while the S&P 500 gained 0.23% to 4,701.54.

The Nasdaq Composite climbed 0.44% to 15,845.23.

Tesla Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA) rose as much as 1.9%. In his latest of several recent share sales, CEO Elon Musk sold 934,091 shares of the electric vehicle maker worth $1.05 billion after exercising options to buy 2.15 million shares.

PC makers HP Inc (NYSE:HPQ) and Dell Technologies jumped after they logged a more than four-fold rise in quarterly profits amid increasing demand for personal computers.

Wall Street ends higher; Nvidia surge offsets Nordstrom, Gap slide 2

MOST ASSERTIVE STOCKS

PUERTO RICO STOCKS

COMMODITIES

CURRENCY

LOCAL PERSONAL LOAN RATES Bank

LOCAL MORTGAGE RATES Bank

FHA 30-YR POINTS CONV 30-YR POINTS

BPPR Scotia CooPACA Money House First Mort Oriental

3.00% 0.00 3.50% 0.00 3.50% 2.00 3.75% 2.00 3.50% 0.00 3.50% 0.00

3.50% 000 4.00% 0.00 3.75% 2.00 3.75% 2.00 5.50% 0.00 3.75% 5.50

PERS.

CREDIT CARD

AUTO

BPPR --.-- 17.95 4.95 Scotia 4.99 14.99 4.99 CooPACA

6.95 9.95

2.95

Reliable

--.-- --.--

4.40

First Mort 7.99 --.-- --.-Oriental 4.99 11.95 4.99

14

Thursday, November 25, 2021

The San Juan Daily Star

In Venezuela’s flawed vote, Maduro shows one way to retain power

By ISAYEN HERRERA and ANATOLY KURMANAEV

V

enezuela’s regional elections Sunday were distorted by an uneven playing field, violence and injunctions against opposition leaders, European Union election observers said earlier this week.

But the mere presence of independent international monitors, the first in 15 years to witness a Venezuelan vote, underlined how profoundly President Nicolás Maduro has cemented himself into power in Venezuela since taking office in 2013.

After years of suppressing dissent with force and subverting the vestiges of Venezuela’s democratic institutions, Maduro has perfected a political system where he no longer has much fear of international scrutiny when competing against carefully calibrated opponents, according to analysts and opposition leaders.

The government showed that by banning the most prominent and popular opposition leaders from running for office, dividing opposition parties, encouraging voter apathy and keeping a loyal minority dependent on government handouts, it can win elections without resorting to outright fraud — even with minimal popular support.

The ruling Socialist Party won at least 19 of Venezuela’s 23 governorships, as well as the majority of mayoral offices, despite presiding over a destroyed economy and having the support, polls show, of only about 15% of the people. One in five Venezuelans has fled the country under Maduro’s rule, and 95% of those who remain don’t earn enough to meet basic needs, according to a study by the country’s main universities.

The ruling party’s sweep was greatly aided by the divisions within the opposition. Some opposition leaders boycotted the vote, as most of them did in other recent elections. Those who chose to participate divided votes with factions that had made pacts with Maduro or adopted a softer line against the president to take advantage of the economic lib-

Supporters of Angel Marcano, the candidate for the ruling party, gather for a rally in downtown Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela, Nov. 15, 2021. Venezuela’s regional elections on Sunday were distorted by an uneven playing field, violence and injunctions against opposition leaders, European Union election observers said on Tuesday, Nov. 23. eralization that he has allowed in recent years.

The EU observation mission said Tuesday that it could not call Sunday’s vote free or fair, in part because of the unfair advantages enjoyed by the ruling party, and the lack of rule of law.

“There’s a political situation that’s together with the grave socioeconomic situation has provoked the exodus of millions of Venezuelans,” Jordi Cañas, the representative of the European Parliament with the observer mission, said Tuesday at a news conference in the capital, Caracas.

The mission, however, highlighted several democratic improvements in Sunday’s elections, going as far as to call the country’s electronic vote processing system “reliable.”

The United States, which does not recognize Maduro’s government, called

the election deeply flawed, but commended the opposition candidates who decided to participate to keep the few democratic offices they still held.

At polling places in Caracas on Sunday, many voters expressed little confidence in the fairness of the election, but said they had decided to show up anyway, in some cases because they viewed their vote as their last tool in a fight for change.

“I know the whole process is controlled,” said Blas Roa, 55, a carpenter in Caracas, who voted for the first time since 2015. “But if I don’t vote, I’m not doing anything.”

Most Venezuelans didn’t bother.

Only 42% of voters cast ballots, the lowest turnout in any election in which the opposition had participated in the last two decades. After 20 years of Socialist rule, few in the country still nur-

ture hopes of radical change, focusing instead on taking advantage of the new economic freedoms to improve their precarious livelihoods.

That government-induced apathy ended up being Maduro’s biggest weapon in the elections, said opposition leader Freddy Superlano, who ran for governor in the ranching state of Barinas, once a major Socialist Party bastion and home of the party’s founder, Hugo Chávez.

That contest remained too close to call Tuesday afternoon.

The outcome would have been different, Superlano said, if opposition factions had put aside their misgivings and mounted a concerted campaign.

“We’re fighting not against the candidate, but against all the power of the state,” he said by telephone from Barinas.

Thursday, November 25, 2021

The San Juan Daily Star

15

A new era: Germany is about to meet its post-Merkel government

By KATRIN BENNHOLD

F

or the first time in 16 years, Germany will have a center-left government and a new chancellor, Olaf Scholz, a Social Democrat, whose job will be to fill the shoes of Angela Merkel, the woman who made Germany indispensable in Europe and the world.

After much anticipation, Scholz and his coalition partners from the progressive Greens and the pro-business Free Democrats stepped in front of the cameras Wednesday to announce a 177-page governing deal they have negotiated under strict secrecy since the Sept. 26 election.

They acknowledged their differences but said they had found enough common ground to push forward with plans to beat back the pandemic, increase the minimum wage and put Germany on a path to quit coal and expand renewable energy to 80% by 2030.

“We are united in a belief in progress and that politics can do good,” Scholz said in a joint news conference. “We are united in the will to make the country better, to move it forward and to keep it together.”

Scholz is expected to be sworn in as chancellor early next month. He will immediately face a pressing roster of crises, including a pandemic that is spiraling quickly upward and border conflicts in Belarus and Ukraine.

It is the end of an era for Germany and for Europe. For more than a decade, Merkel was not just chancellor of Germany but effectively the leader of Europe. She steered her country and the continent through successive crises and in the process helped Germany become Europe’s leading power for the first time in modern history.

Scholz’s center-left party, which narrowly won the September election, governed with Merkel’s conservative Christian Democrats for three of her four terms. Scholz himself was her finance minister for the past four years.

“It’s typical for Germany: It’s change and continuity in one,” said Cem Özdemir, a prominent lawmaker for the Greens and one of 300

negotiators of the new coalition treaty.

There is clearly tension built into the new government, with important yet opposing ministries in the hands of coalition partners who sit on opposite ends of the political spectrum.

That tension is likely to remain a theme of the government and to test Scholz’s ability to balance competing agendas.

In one key concession, according to a person close to the coalition talks, the finance ministry will go to the leader of the Free Democrats, Christian Lindner, a fiscal conservative who has ruled out tax increases.

Lindner could serve as a brake on the new government’s boldest ambitions for change, especially those coming from the Greens, who had campaigned on revolutionizing the economy to meet the challenges of a warming planet.

But the Greens did not walk away emptyhanded. The party’s co-leaders, Annalena Baerbock and Robert Habeck, secured two powerful posts.

Habeck will run a new superministry combining the economy and climate, the person said, and Baerbock, who ran as the Greens’ candidate for chancellor, will be Germany’s first female foreign minister.

On issues ranging from Europe to trade and foreign policy, most analysts expect the new government to broadly stay the course set by its predecessor. But a number of urgent crises — and Scholz’s two more hawkish coalition partners — might force the new chancellor to rethink some past policies.

Scholz’s Germany could turn out to be somewhat more willing to throw its weight behind European integration and to close ranks with the United States in putting pressure on China and Russia.

But the buzzword was continuity.

“The new government will essentially be one of continuity, not change,” said Holger Schmieding, chief economist of Berenberg Bank.

“All those who were hoping that this would be the start of something completely different will be disappointed.”

German leaders, including the incoming chancellor and leaders of parties in the new government, after a final session of coalition talks on Wednesday.

16

The San Juan Daily Star

Thursday, November 25, 2021

Raids on independent groups in El Salvador raise fears of repression

By BRYAN AVELAR and OSCAR LÓPEZ

A

uthorities in El Salvador have raided the offices of seven social service and advocacy groups in an embezzlement investigation that rights advocates charge is part of a politically motivated crackdown on independent voices.

The raids Monday came as the country’s Legislative Assembly ​​considered a bill that would require any groups or individuals who receive funding from abroad to register with the Interior Ministry as foreign agents, a condition that critics say could severely limit the work of journalists and civil society.

In a statement, the attorney general’s office said the raids had been carried out as part of an investigation launched by the assembly into “a series of abnormalities that may have arisen in the process of adjudication, execution and monitoring of funds from the Salvadoran state.” A spokesperson for the president’s office did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The raids are the latest example of President Nayib Bukele’s assault on democratic norms and institutions, critics say, with the charismatic young leader increasingly using his party’s control of the assembly to chip away at judicial independence and undermine opposition.

“Things are moving very quickly in the direction that is very familiar to people who have studied democratic backsliding,” said Javier Corrales, a professor of political science at Amherst College in Massachusetts and an expert on Latin America.

Salvador’s president, Nayib Bukele, speaking in San Salvador in February.

Bukele, he said, “has been able to check off so many of the boxes that make this process now hard to slow down or contain.”

Among the groups that were raided was one that works on literary programs for women, Las Mélidas. Its founder, Nery Díaz, said the government’s actions signal “a desire to criminalize social organizations.”

Bukele soared to power in 2019, elected president at age 38 as the candidate of a new party of his creation

that promised a break from “obsolete ideologies.” He has billed himself as an enterprising reformer, a millennial president taking on the establishment.

In September, El Salvador became the first country in the world to adopt cryptocurrency Bitcoin as legal tender, despite warnings from economists over its volatility. And on Saturday, Bukele announced the creation of the world’s first “Bitcoin city,” taking the stage at a Bitcoin conference amid a shower of fireworks and smoke, loud rock music blaring in the background.

Critics say that Bukele, whose Twitter profile calls him the “CEO of El Salvador,” has shown an authoritarian streak behind his online trolling, techsavvy persona and rebellious attitude.

This year alone, Bukele and his New Ideas party have dismissed dozens of judges and prosecutors, while also replacing all five magistrates of the country’s Constitutional Court. In September, that same court ruled that

presidents can run for a second consecutive term, all but clearing the way for Bukele to seek reelection in 2024.

“There is not a democratic institution. There are no real checks and balances on the exercise of power of Bukele,” said José Miguel Vivanco, Americas director at Human Rights Watch. He said the foreign agents bill “makes it virtually impossible for independent media and civil society to operate in El Salvador.”

A similar law in Russia has become a potent tool for suppressing opposition groups and independent media.

In July, the Bukele administration expelled from the country a Mexican editor at one of the top Salvadoran news sites, El Faro, saying he was unable to prove he was a reporter or editor.

The foreign agents bill, which would impose a 40% tax on foreign donations that outlets such as El Faro receive, could be a nail in the coffin for the organization, said its editor in chief, Óscar Martínez. “Taking away 40% of the funds that are given to a media outlet would mean, speaking purely in business terms, bringing it to bankruptcy,” Martínez said.

The political repression in El Salvador has strained relations with the United States.

On Monday, the top U.S. diplomat in the country announced that she was leaving. The diplomat, Jean Manes, a former ambassador to El Salvador who returned there earlier this year, said that Bukele’s government was “not showing any signs of interest” in improving the relationship between the two countries.

“We were offering a bridge, and the government has decided not to take it,” Manes said in an interview on a television network, Telecorporación Salvadoreña. The deputy chief of mission in El Salvador, Brendan O’Brien, will take over her duties, she said.

On Tuesday, lawmakers in the United States called on the Legislative Assembly to reconsider the foreign agents bill and “avoid undermining the operations of independent nongovernmental organizations.”

The San Juan Daily Star

Thursday, November 25, 2021

17

Lithuania welcomes Belarusians as it rebuffs Middle Easterners

By ANTON TROIANOVSKI

T

he emigrants hitchhiked overnight to the Dysna River, the border of their native Belarus. They thought they could wade across the frigid waters, but the spot they chose in haste proved to be so deep they had to swim.

On the other side, at dawn two weeks ago, they found a house with a light on and asked for the police. They were fleeing the authoritarian regime of President Alexander Lukashenko and seeking asylum in neighboring Lithuania, a member of the European Union. Taken to a makeshift camp at a border guard station, they joined dozens of Iraqis, some Chechens and someone from Southeast Asia.

“We’ve been here for weeks, months,” a migrant told them, according to one of the Belarusians, Alexander Dobriyanik. “We know you’ll leave here in just a couple days.”

Two streams of migration, and two forms of human desperation, are converging in the swamps and forests of northeastern Europe.

There are the Iraqis and others whom Lukashenko is channeling through Belarus into Lithuania and Poland, a migration crisis orchestrated by an autocrat eager to provoke the West. And then there are Belarusians fleeing Lukashenko, amid a wave of repression inside Belarus that has produced thousands of arrests.

Crossing from East to West, the two groups briefly share the same fate, bunking together in border camps and migrant centers.

But soon their lives diverge again: Most Belarusians are quickly assured of staying in Lithuania and are allowed to move freely, while the others spend months detained in cramped containers, awaiting near-certain rejection of their asylum claims.

The differing treatment underscores the West’s staunch support for the Belarusian opposition — and illustrates the harsh moral choices being made by European countries determined to resist migration from other continents. Lithuania, a small, ethnically homogeneous nation, is on the front lines of both migrant waves, casting itself as a bulwark of the West, sheltering Belarusian dissidents while refusing entry to others.

“They blend in and society accepts them,” Evelina Gudzinskaite, the head of Lithuania’s migration department, said of Belarusians. “We are quite xenophobic,” she said, adding that she was half-joking, “but also quite rational, I think.”

Lithuania has issued more than 6,700 “humanitarian” visas for Belarusians since the

A view of Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, Nov. 16, 2021. In Lithuania, people seeking asylum from repression in Belarus are processed quickly and given visas — middle Eastern migrants passing through Belarus to the E.U. face a harsher fate. uprising against Lukashenko’s fraudulent 2020 reelection sparked a crackdown in which anyone who sympathized with the opposition is a potential target. It has approved 71 asylum requests from Belarusians this year. The U.S. State Department commended the country last week for “offering safe haven to many Belarusian democracy advocates,” including Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, the opposition leader.

By contrast, of the 2,639 asylum requests Lithuania processed from non-Belarusians since the start of the influx, Gudzinskaite said, only 10 were granted. Most of the arrivals came before August, when Lithuania started blocking entry into the country at unofficial crossing points, even by people seeking asylum — a policy of “pushbacks” widely criticized by human rights groups.

Migrants have been prevented from entering the country some 7,000 times since August, according to Lithuania’s border guard service. But Belarusians are not pushed back; when they are caught entering the country illegally, they are allowed to stay and request asylum, said Gen. Rustamas Liubajevas, the commander of the service.

“This is a totally different situation from the migrants coming in,” Liubajevas said. “In many cases, those people are just looking for a better life.”

Migrant advocates argue that the distinction between economic migrants and refugees is often false, that many people traveling through Belarus are fleeing failed states and violence, and should qualify for international protection. But even Caritas, a Roman Catholic charity supporting detained migrants, said that many may not.

“The big problem with this migrant crisis is that among these migrants there are a lot of economic ones, and they are being used for political purposes,” said Deimante Bukeikaite, the general secretary of Caritas in Lithuania.

This summer, Lukashenko’s government added flights from Middle Eastern destinations and loosened visa requirements in what appeared to be a calculated effort to attract migrants who would then seek to cross into the neighboring EU countries, Lithuania, Poland and Latvia. Most seek to travel to countries farther west, like Germany.

Lithuania, a two-hour drive from the Belarusian capital, Minsk, has been a prime destination, though in recent weeks, Western officials have said, Belarus directed most migrants toward Poland, where their clashes with Polish police have made worldwide headlines.

Amid the crush of migration, the paths of Belarusians and other migrants intersect at holding facilities across Lithuania. At one migrant camp, a Syrian barber explained to his Belarusian tentmate that his family spent their life savings to get to Europe and now had “no way back.” Dobriyanik met men fleeing their native Chechnya region of Russia, who railed against President Vladimir Putin.

Lithuania, with a population of less than 3 million, has struggled to manage the thousands of new arrivals, and this month the government declared a state of emergency.

Lithuanian leaders have called the migrants a “hybrid weapon” wielded by Lukashenko to “attack the democratic world.”

Eyad, a 25-year-old Syrian who made it from Belarus to Lithuania in July, said he does not see himself that way. “On Facebook, it is

written that refugees are weapons,” he said in an interview at a migrant center in Rukla, in central Lithuania. “But this doesn’t mean that that is what I am.”

Eyad, who asked that his last name not be published to protect his parents in Syria, fled that country for Russia in 2018. Frustrated at scraping by as an immigrant without legal status in Moscow, where he said he worked at factories and shawarma stands, Eyad read on Facebook over the summer that Lukashenko had opened his country’s borders with the EU. Eyad is one of the handful of non-Belarusians whose asylum application has been approved. He was moved a few weeks ago from a migrant center in a former prison to the center in Rukla, where more than 100 blue, gray and white containers house more than 700 migrants.

When Andrei Susha, a Belarusian, arrived at the Rukla center in April, it held fewer than 100 people. Susha, facing prison for derogatory online posts about the authorities, made one of this year’s more daring escapes from Belarus: After receiving a summons to the police station, he grabbed his motorized paraglider, got a ride to a field about 10 miles from the border, and took off.

Susha’s asylum request was approved last week — a process that has been delayed for many Belarusians because of the crush of applicants. At the Rukla center, several Eritreans were among the small group of nonBelarusian migrants given asylum.

A 21-year-old woman said she had first fled to Ethiopia to avoid indefinite military service in Eritrea, then flew to Belarus as civil war flared in Ethiopia. The woman, who did not want her name used because she feared for her family in Eritrea, stayed in Belarus for months until she found a way to enter Lithuania.

“We came running from a dictator government,” she said, “and we were stuck in a dictator government.”

This article originally appeared in The New York Times.

18

The San Juan Daily Star

Thursday, November 25, 2021

Imagine not living in big tech’s world

By SHIRA OVIDE

I

want to flash back to the rise and fall of a once popular storytelling website called Upworthy. It is one of a zillion examples of the power of Facebook and other technology superstars to make or break other companies’ dreams.

I recently spoke to one of Upworthy’s co-founders, Eli Pariser, about the company’s history. It’s relevant because nearly a decade after it started, we are still grappling with the risks and rewards of a handful of technology companies serving as gateways to success online.

Pariser is now part of a project that has compelling but difficult-to-imagine ideas to get out of this trap.

Upworthy’s tale isn’t new or particularly unusual, and that’s the point. Just about everyone trying to make a living on the internet, or in the real world, knows the potential pitfalls of relying on Facebook, Amazon, Google and Apple. But there is almost no way around these giants.

When Upworthy started in 2012, its mission was to get people to pay attention to what it considered socially worthwhile and to uplifting subjects with headlines written to grab us on Facebook — stuff like “Move Over, Barbie — You’re Obsolete,” and “This Amazing Kid Got to Enjoy 19 Awesome Years on This Planet.

What He Left Behind Is Wondtacular.”

At the height of its popularity in late 2013, nearly 90 million people visited Upworthy’s website each month.

About the same number of Americans visit Yelp at least once a month, according to Comscore.

Others relentlessly copied Upworthy’s tactics, and

We live at the whims of the tech giants. What if small businesses had alternatives?

the result was a sea of sensationalism on Facebook.

“You’ll never believe what happened next!” became a jokey description of Facebook posts that promised a tantalizing payoff and made you click, but often didn’t deliver.

Facebook made a series of changes starting in 2014 to circulate fewer posts that the company considered “click bait.” Upworthy was far from the worst pusher of click bait, but it was caught up in the zeal to stamp it out. Upworthy is still around with its social impact mission but says it has different strategies to reach people through social media. A spokesperson said a relatively high rate of people reply or otherwise interact with Upworthy posts on Instagram, an app owned by Facebook.

Pariser acknowledged that Facebook wasn’t solely to blame for Upworthy’s troubles. Online news publishers are often flashes in the pan. But Pariser said that Upworthy was intended to cater to what mattered to Facebook — and then what Facebook wanted changed.

The tech giants may have good motivations behind changes that sometimes hurt smaller businesses, just as stamping out misleading click bait on Facebook was a worthy goal. (Although click bait on Facebook is still a thing. It’s just different.)

Upworthy’s wild rise and fall made it just one of the many companies that both benefit from and are hurt by the influence of America’s tech superpowers. The technology giants love to brag about the ways that they help small businesses — and they definitely do. But they tend to say that it’s an aberration when small companies suffer. It’s not. It’s the flip side of their influence and reach.

That is part of the legacy of our digital lives in which a few tech superpowers have enormous influence over what we read, what we buy, and how we stay informed and entertained.

Pariser is now co-director with Talia Stroud of a group called New Public, which tries to build healthier online lives by having more palatable alternatives to the tech giants.

They and others, including researchers for the Aspen Institute, imagine more small websites and apps that are managed for goals other than profit, similar to public parks, schools and libraries. Pariser gave the example of Front Porch Forum, an independent local message board in Vermont.

We’re used to the internet that we have now, and I know it’s hard to envision what a different path might look like or how it could happen. Front Porch Forum is noteworthy partly because it’s so rare.

But it’s worth thinking about ways to shake up the structure of the internet as it exists. The point is having more options so that your neighbors who want to form an online group have choices other than Facebook or Nextdoor, companies like Upworthy don’t have to rely on Facebook and textbook sellers have opportunities beyond Amazon.

“We live in a world where everyone is eating from a few fast food stores,” Pariser said. “I just think that having a restaurant scene is going to be more delightful in addition to being more useful and nutritious.”

35%

DE DESCUENTO

CORTINAS EN ALUMINIO

AL PRESENTAR ANUNCIO.

(787)923-1959/377-5662

PO BOX 6537 Caguas PR 00726 Telephones: (787) 743-3346 • (787) 743-6537 (787) 743-5606 • Fax (787) 743-5100

Dr. Ricardo Angulo Publisher

Manuel Sierra General Manager

María de L. Márquez

Ray Ruiz

Legal Notice Director

Sharon Ramírez

Business Director

Legal Notices Graphics Manager

R. Mariani

Aaron Christiana

Circulation Director

Lisette Martínez

Advertising Agency Director

Editor

María Rivera

Graphic Artist Manager

The San Juan Daily Star

Thursday, November 25, 2021

19

Turismo y Puertos anuncian el regreso del yate de lujo SeaDream II a Vieques y la primera visita del Rotterdam de Holland America a San Juan

POR CYBERNEWS

S

AN JUAN – El director ejecutivo de la Compañía de Turismo de Puerto Rico (CTPR), Carlos Mercado Santiago, y el director ejecutivo de la Autoridad de los Puertos (AP), Joel Pizá-Batiz, anunciaron el miércoles, el reinicio de operaciones del yate de lujo SeaDream II de SeaDream Yacht Club, y la primera visita del Rotterdam de la línea de cruceros Holland America Line (HAL).

“El reinicio de operaciones de la línea de cruceros de lujo SeaDream Yacht Club representa un paso importante en los esfuerzos de descentralizar la actividad turística en Puerto Rico, y en especial, un impulso a la economía de

Vieques, donde no se recibían cruceros previos a la pandemia del COVID-19”, indicó el director ejecutivo de la CTPR en declaraciones escritas.

“En un esfuerzo combinado entre la CTPR, Puertos, y el alcalde de Vieques, José Corcino Acevedo, durante los pasados meses se estuvieron llevando a cabo los preparativos pertinentes para garantizar un reinicio eficiente y seguro de las operaciones de crucero en la isla municipio. Nuestra prioridad es que los pasajeros que lleguen a bordo de estos yates de lujo puedan disfrutar de una experiencia memorable durante su visita”, añadió.

Según proyecciones de la CTPR, los itinerarios en agenda de ambas embarcaciones entre el 2021 y 2022-23 representan un impacto de más de 1 millón de dólares en la economía de Puerto Rico.

El SeaDream II, con capacidad de 110 pasajeros tiene programado para el año fiscal 2022 ocho salidas “homeports” y una parada de tránsito. Su itinerario en el Caribe incluye destinos icónicos en Puerto Rico, como lo son Vieques, Caja de Muerto, y Culebrita, y otras islas caribeñas como República Dominicana, Islas Vírgenes Británicas y Americanas.

La línea de cruceros espera incluir en su itinerario del año 2022 el área de Boquerón, para de esta forma ofrecer a sus pasajeros experiencias locales.

Para el director ejecutivo de Puertos el recibir a los cruceros, SeaDream y el Rotterdam, “nos llena de satisfacción y orgullo. Estas dos prestigiosas líneas han escogido nuestro Puerto por ser uno seguro, atractivo y de gran interés turístico para sus pasajeros, lo que nos posiciona a otro nivel. Convertir a Puerto Rico en el principal Puerto para cruceros del Caribe es uno de nuestros objetivos principales”.

El alcalde de la Isla Nena, José Corcino Acevedo, opinó que “hoy se marca un nuevo e impresionante capítulo en la historia de Vieques con la llegada de este crucero. Estamos dando el primer paso para llevar a nuestra ‘Isla Nena’ al lugar que merece, como la Isla más bella del Caribe. Juntos estamos trabajando para que Vieques se convierta en el destino de selección para todos los turistas a nivel, tanto a nivel local, nacional e internacional.

Hoy cambia la historia de Vieques”.

Por su parte, el Rotterdam, un crucero de Clase Pinnacle operado por HAL, una subsidiaria de Carnival Corporation, tiene en agenda cuatro paradas en el Puerto de San Juan durante el año fiscal 2022. La embarcación tiene una capacidad máxima de 2,668 pasajeros, no obstante, en estas primeras visitas a la Isla se espera sea con alrededor de 70 porciento de capacidad.

Ambas líneas de cruceros tienen que cumplir con los protocolos de seguridad contra el COVID-19 establecidos por el gobierno de Puerto Rico.

Como parte del protocolo de recibimiento en su primer viaje a Puerto Rico, representantes de la CTPR y la APPR dieron la bienvenida e hicieron la tradicional entrega de placa conmemorativa al capitán del Rotterdam, Bas Van Dreumel.

“Nos complace darle la bienvenida a este nuevo crucero de la línea Holland America, a quienes le agradecemos por continuar apostando al mercado de Puerto Rico como un destino de cruceros importante en la región caribeña”, concluyó el titular de Turismo.

Refieren al CDC y a agencias luego que 120 personas en Peñuelas recibieran vacunas expiradas de COVID-19 POR CYBERNEWS

S

AN JUAN – El secretario del Departamento de Salud (DS), doctor Carlos Mellado López dijo el miércoles que refirió al Centro para el Control de Enfermedades (CDC) y a agencias del gobierno un incidente en el que alrededor de 120 personas de Peñuelas recibieran dosis expiradas de la vacuna contra el COVID-19.

“El personal del DS se comunicó hoy con todos los pacientes vacunados incorrectamente en un centro de Peñuelas. El desafortunado evento fue

notificado al CDC y siguiendo su recomendación el grupo deberá vacunarse de inmediato para obtener la protección necesaria contra COVID-19”, dijo Mellado López en declaraciones escritas.

Añadió que: “El proveedor que administró vacunas obtenidas de un programa federal, no está autorizado a vacunar o recibirá vacunas asignadas al DS”.

Mencionó que el suceso, también, “fue referido para la investigación correspondiente como se ha hecho en otros casos”.

20

The San Juan Daily Star

Thursday, November 25, 2021

The best Thanksgiving movies to stream

By AMY NICHOLSON

F

ace it, the centerpiece of Thanksgiving isn’t the turkey.

It’s the TV. After dinner gets devoured in a fraction of the time it took to cook, the overstuffed proceed to the couch to distract themselves from a third slice of pie by debating what to watch. Relieve some of their pressure by serving up these five streaming suggestions. From comedy to cartoon, weepie to bloodbath, here’s a film for every craving.

‘Home for the Holidays’ (1995) Stream it on Kanopy, the Roku Channel or Pluto TV. Believe it or not, Jodie Foster’s relatable dramedy about a family who bickers, sobs and seriously questions why they bother sharing a table is rooted in science fiction. The script is by “Invasion of the Body Snatchers” screenwriter W.D. Richter, and when Foster gave it a read, she was struck by the artificiality of being “asked to make a vow of love to people you don’t really know and who don’t really understand you.”

Holly Hunter stars as a single mother who comes home to a household simmering with tension. Her aunt (Geraldine Chaplin) has dementia, her mother (Anne Bancroft) is crying in the pantry and her brother (Robert Downey Jr.) is slinging zingers to deflect from his own big secret. For the film’s centerpiece Thanksgiving scene, Foster went through 64 roast turkeys whose carcasses were flung into laps or onto the floor, then plopped back on the carving dish so Charles Durning’s paterfamilias could continue pretending things were fine. Every quip deserves to be memorialized in needlepoint. A personal favorite: “You’re a pain in my ass, you have bad hair, but I like you a lot.”

‘The Joy Luck Club’ (1993) Rent it on Vudu, Google Play or YouTube.

There’s no better film on food, family and empathy than Wayne Wang’s epic about two generations who reconcile their differences over sesame balls and stuffed crab. Four Chinese-born women living in San Francisco regularly gather over the mahjong table to gossip about their grown daughters who, they fear, have settled for the wrong career or the wrong man. The Americanized daughters are well aware of these concerns, but they don’t know the full story. Their mothers made painful choices before they crossed the Pacific, enduring traumas the daughters may risk repeating if they can’t share their secrets (along with several bowls of noodles and a bottle of Champagne). Novelist Amy Tan reworked her bestseller into this screenplay, a collaboration with Ronald Bass, the “Rain Man” screenwriter. The film is also a reminder to forgive guests who don’t yet know their host’s unspoken customs and taboos, like the mother who pardons her daughter’s fiancé for pouring soy sauce on her signature dish.

‘Brian’s Song’ (1971) Rent it on Vudu, Google Play or YouTube.

If the game’s not going well, flip on this forgotten football gem from 1971 that set a record for the most-watched made-for-TV movie ever and became the rare film to leap from an ABC Movie of the Week to a major theatrical release.

Claire Danes, left, and Holly Hunter in “Home for the Holidays.”

Billy Dee Williams and James Caan star as real-life Chicago Bears running backs Gale Sayers and Brian Piccolo. Their friendship was forged on the gridiron, tested by the pressures of becoming the NFL’s first interracial roommates and beatified after Piccolo was stricken with terminal cancer. The movie is based, in part, on Sayers’ 1970 autobiography, “I Am Third.” Sayers, who died last year at 77 from complications of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, continues to hold the league record for most touchdowns in a game. But for most of his life, he was best known for this Emmy-winning crowd-pleaser that exemplifies the meaning of Friendsgiving. It’s hard not to mist up watching these two manly men choose to become brothers. Caan was also known to employ some dark humor during the production. He shared on the DVD’s commentary track that he once said on set, “Hold my cigarette and my can of Coke, I have to go die.”

‘Pilgrim’ (2019) Stream it on Hulu.

Odd that a feast centered on flesh and knives hasn’t inspired a flood of slasher flicks beyond Eli Roth’s short parody trailer “Thanksgiving,” part of the 2007 double feature “Grindhouse.” Consider that an amuse-bouche to Marcus Dunstan’s cheeky home invasion horror flick during which costumed Mayflower reenactors teach a modern family to appreciate their blessings. Out with the electric bulbs and cellphones. In with berry-picking, fishing jokes, saltwater taffy, and, for the rebellious teen daughter Cody (Reign Edwards), an ancient witch-torturing device called the cucking

stool which the cultlike reenactors erect over the swimming pool. “Gratitude is on the menu,” the leader, Ethan (Peter Giles), intones. So is a human head, along with a tureen of gushing blood and several ominous slow-motion shots of buckled hats and shoes designed to leave viewers giggling into their pumpkin pie.

‘An American Tail’ (1986) Stream it on Starz or Spectrum; or rent on Vudu, Google Play or YouTube.

The traditional Thanksgiving children’s play fell out of favor around the time Wednesday Addams vowed to scalp those pesky pilgrims in “Addams Family Values” (1993). No loss. That simplistic history lesson had already been bested

by Don Bluth’s “An American Tail,” the most unsentimental cartoon to ever star a singing mouse. Make that a family of mice — the Russian-Jewish Mousekewitzes — who flee the feline persecution of their homeland for 1880s New York, where they’ve been promised mouse holes in every wall, breadcrumbs on every floor, and most importantly, no cats.

This, of course, is a lie. Young Fievel Mousekewitz is disillusioned to discover that his new country is a predatory land of rat-owned sweatshops and cat-run gangs. Upon the movie’s release, critics like Roger Ebert were taken aback to see a kiddie flick with a “bleak view of a cold and heartless universe.” But wisecracking cockroaches aside, it’s a true vision of the American dream that idealistic newcomers like Fievel struggled to attain — then and now — to make the Statue of Liberty live up to her sales pitch.

The San Juan Daily Star

Thursday, November 25, 2021

21

Jon Batiste and young chart-toppers lead 2022 Grammy nominations

By BEN SISARIO

N

ominations for the 64th annual Grammy Awards, announced earlier this week, recognized chart-topping pop stars like Justin Bieber, Olivia Rodrigo, Doja Cat and Billie Eilish. But the artist with the most chances to win is Jon Batiste, a composer and bandleader known for his work in television and film, who was nominated 11 times, including for his eclectic, soulinflected album “We Are.” Batiste, who also emerged last year as a voice of social protest, will face off in some of the most prestigious categories, including album and record of the year, as well as in an array of genre fields — including R&B, jazz, American roots and classical — at the ceremony, which is scheduled for Jan. 31 in Los Angeles, and will be broadcast by CBS. The list of nominees is even more robust than usual this year, after the Recording Academy, which presents the awards, expanded the ballots for the top four categories — album, record and song of the year, and best new artist — to include 10 nominees, up from eight.

As recently as four years ago, there were just five slots in those categories.

For album of the year, Batiste — perhaps best known as the musical director on “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert,” on CBS — competes against Bieber (“Justice,” in a deluxe version), Doja Cat (“Planet Her,” also deluxe), Rodrigo (“Sour”), Eilish (“Happier Than Ever”), Taylor Swift (“Evermore”), Lil Nas X (“Montero”), Kanye West (“Donda”), H.E.R. (“Back of My Mind”), and Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga (“Love for Sale,” a tribute to Cole Porter).

Record of the year, which recognizes the recording of a single track, pits Rodrigo’s “Drivers License,” Bieber’s “Peaches,” Doja Cat’s “Kiss Me More,” Lil Nas X’s “Montero (Call Me by Your Name)” and “Leave the Door Open”

by Silk Sonic, the retro-soul project of Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak, against Eilish’s “Happier Than Ever,” Brandi Carlile’s “Right on Time,” Bennett and Lady Gaga’s “I Get a Kick Out of You,” and “I Still Have Faith in You,” a comeback single by Abba — the Europop icons who were never nominated for a Grammy in

Jon Batiste performs at the Homecoming Concert in New York on Sept. 14, 2021.

Batiste leads all nominees for the 64th annual Grammy Awards, with 11. their heyday of the 1970s and early ’80s.

For song of the year, a songwriter’s award, the nominees are “Drivers License,” “Happier Than Ever,” “Kiss Me More,” “Leave the Door Open,” “Peaches,” “Right on Time” and “Montero,” along with Ed Sheeran’s “Bad Habits,” Carlile and Alicia Keys’ “A Beautiful Noise,” and “Fight for You” by H.E.R., who won the prize last year for a protest anthem, “I Can’t Breathe.”

The new artist category is a mix of fresh pop stars and lesser-known acts. It includes Rodrigo, a singer and actress who rocketed to fame this year with hits such as “Drivers License” and “Good 4 U”; the Kid Laroi, who has been ubiquitous on pop radio with “Stay,” featuring Bieber; and Saweetie, whose “Best Friend” featuring Doja Cat is another radio fixture; along with Finneas, Eilish’s producer brother; Japanese Breakfast, the alternative project led by Michelle Zauner, who has also won acclaim as a memoirist; Glass Animals; Arlo Parks; Baby Keem; Jimmie Allen; and Arooj Aftab.

In the music industry, this year’s nominations are being scrutinized for the effects of a series of changes to the Recording Academy’s voting procedures, which have come under harsh criticism in recent years, often because of whom they have left out.

Last year, for example, Abel Tesfaye, who performs as the Weeknd, accused the Grammys of being “corrupt” after he failed to receive any nominations, despite his album “After Hours” being a gigantic hit. In protest, Tesfaye pledged not to submit his music for Grammy consideration in the future.

His attack focused attention on a little-understood part of the nomination process — the use of “review committees,” whose anonymous members pared down the choices of the academy’s more than 11,000 voting members to a final ballot, ostensibly to preserve the awards’ integrity.

But those committees became the focus of criticism for perceived conflicts of interest and other agendas, and this year, the academy eliminated them in most categories. (They remain part of the process for “craft” categories, such as packaging, liner notes and engineering.)

Another Grammy rule change has allowed more songwriters to become eligible for album of the year. In past years, writers had to contribute to 33% of an album to qualify, but that threshold has been removed. One effect is that dozens of names — including featured artists, producers and engineers, in addition to songwriters — can now be on the ballot as contributors to a single album. If Bieber’s “Justice” wins, for exam-

ple, around 100 people will take home Grammys.

Also notable are this year’s four rock categories. Last year, the Grammys earned plaudits for nominating many women, but this year the list is almost entirely male-dominated. For rock album, AC/DC competes against Paul McCartney, Foo Fighters, Chris Cornell and Black Pumas.

Alternative music album features a more diverse mix, with Halsey (“If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power”) competing against Japanese Breakfast (“Jubilee”), Arlo Parks (“Collapsed in Sunbeams”), St. Vincent (“Daddy’s Home”) and the men of Fleet Foxes (“Shore”).

Among other categories, the contenders for best pop vocal album are Bieber’s “Justice,” Doja Cat’s “Planet Her,” Eilish’s “Happier Than Ever,” Rodrigo’s “Sour” and Ariana Grande’s “Positions.”

Drake, whose “Certified Lover Boy” was ignored by the top categories, is up for two awards: best rap performance (“Way 2 Sexy”) and best rap album, in which “Certified” will compete against “Donda,” J. Cole’s “The Off-Season,” Nas’s “King’s Disease II” and Tyler, the Creator’s “Call Me If You Get Lost.”

The nominees for best country album are Chris Stapleton’s “Starting Over,” Sturgill Simpson’s “The Ballad of Dood and Juanita,” Mickey Guyton’s “Remember Her Name,” Brothers Osborne’s “Skeletons,” and “The Marfa Tapes” by Miranda Lambert, Jon Randall and Jack Ingram.

Kacey Musgraves’ latest, “StarCrossed,” was not eligible for country album, after being deemed insufficiently country by the academy’s screening committee; it was moved to the pop category but received no nominations there. That decision drew wide notice in the industry since Musgraves’ last album, “Golden Hour,” won best country album — as well as album of the year — in 2019.

The nominees for producer of the year, nonclassical, are Jack Antonoff (for his work with Swift, Lana Del Rey and others), Rogét Chahayed (Doja Cat), Mike Elizondo (Twenty One Pilots, Turnstile), Hit-Boy (“Judas And The Black Messiah: The Inspired Album”) and Ricky Reed (Lizzo, Batiste).

22

The San Juan Daily Star

Thursday, November 25, 2021

Turkey without COVID

By DAVID LEONHARDT

I

f the U.S. government had done a better job making rapid Covid-19 tests available, the advice for how to use them this holiday weekend would be easy: Take one at the start of every day when you planned to spend time with people outside your household.

That approach is possible in other countries. In Britain, pharmacies offer free packs of seven tests that people can take at home. In Germany, rapid tests are also widely available and mostly free. In this country, the situation is different, largely because the F.D.A. has been slow to approve the tests.

The Biden administration has not been as aggressive in fixing the situation as it could have been, but it has made progress. A couple of months ago, tests were often impossible to find. Now, they are sporadically available at many stores.

Friends and family around the country have told me this week that they have usually been able to find a test after looking in enough places.

The tests are not free, however. They typically cost about $25 for a pack of two. The combination of their cost and irregular availability means that Americans interested in rapid tests often must make choices about when to use them.

Today’s newsletter offers a guide for doing so, especially as a way to protect older people — who remain the most vulnerable to serious Covid illness — during Thanksgiving weekend.

“Rapid tests can help reduce worries about gathering with loved ones for the holidays,” Jennifer Nuzzo, an epidemiologist at Johns Hopkins University, told me. Nuzzo’s immediate family plans to take tests on Thanksgiving, before going over to their hosts for the meal. So do I. Why? The Covid tests that you take in a doctor’s office or testing center are usually PCR tests, which are designed to identify whether you have any amount of the Covid virus. They can sometimes come back positive even if you had the virus weeks earlier and have not been infectious for a long time.

The rapid tests — also known as antigen tests — are designed to tell whether

you are infectious. That’s why they are such a powerful public-health tool. They can prevent somebody with the virus from spreading it to others.

“For too long, people thought of testing as an extra and not the core, and it needs to be thought of as the core,” Mara Aspinall, a professor at Arizona State University and former biotechnology executive, told Kaiser Health News.

Which ones?

The most widely available antigen test seems to be BinaxNOW, from Abbott.

You should also feel comfortable using QuickVue, Ellume and Flowflex, among others. If you search for one of these tests online and a website points you to a different brand, do some research. Others can be very expensive.

Both CVS and Walgreens have search engines that let you find tests for sale near you. I recommend calling the store to confirm it still has them in stock — and then immediately going to buy it.

A store may limit you to buying one test pack at a time.

How? Some people find the tests easy to conduct. Others have told me that the process is tricky — more so, for example, than taking a home pregnancy test. Either way, set aside time to read the directions and watch the how-to video.

“It is critically important that you carefully read any instructions for the type of test you are taking, and follow them to the letter,” Dr. Karl Laskowski, who helps oversee Covid testing at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, told Julia Taliesin of Boston.com.

You will usually get a result within 15 minutes. Keep in mind that both false negatives and false positives are possible.

Antigen tests typically identify 98 percent of infectious cases, according to Dr. Michael Mina, a Harvard University epidemiologist.

If you get a positive result, take it seriously, and quarantine yourself until you know more. Ideally, you would try to confirm the result with a PCR test or a second rapid test — from a different brand, my colleague Tara Parker-Pope says. If the second is negative and you are vaccinated, you can probably trust the negative.

Boxes of at home COVID-19 tests at a CVS store in Lakewood, Wash.

When?

Because most Americans have limited access to rapid tests, they need to triage their use. The two most important times to take a test are either after you may have been exposed to the virus or before you are spending time with medically vulnerable people, like those in their 70s or older.

“I try to tell people it’s a snapshot good for one day only,” Tara told me.

“And that you need to keep testing if you think you were exposed to Covid or if you have been traveling through airports or on trains.”

If you are attending multiple gatherings this weekend and do not have enough tests, focus your testing on the days when you are seeing anybody vulnerable. For most people, the vaccines have turned Covid into a manageable disease — one that is highly unlikely to lead to severe illness and not so different from other respiratory illnesses. But for many older people, Covid remains a meaningful threat.

Many Americans continue to exaggerate the threat that Covid presents to children and understate its threat to elderly people. They deserve our focus.

Who? Not everybody in your household has the same chance of Covid exposure.

With a limited number of tests available, it can make sense to focus on people who have the highest likelihood of having been infected — and, by extension, infecting others.

Nuzzo suggests prioritizing two groups for rapid testing: people who are not fully vaccinated, like children; and those who have spent more time in settings where they might have been exposed.

Even with the limitations of rapid testing in the U.S., the tests can play an important role in slowing the spread of the virus. And the situation does seem to be improving. The F.D.A. approved three more tests this week, and the Biden administration continues to spend more to expand their availability.

The San Juan Daily Star LEGAL NOTICE ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA SALA SUPERIOR DE HUMACAO

BANCO POPULAR DE PUERTO RICO Demandante Vs.

SUCESION DE SATURNINO PINTO SOLIS COMPUESTA POR SATURNINO PINTO RODRIGUEZ, TAMBIÉN CONOCIDO COMO SATURNINO PINTO JR. Y JOSE LUIS PINTO RODRIGUEZ, TAMBIÉN CONOCIDO COMO JOSE L. PINTO

Demandados Civil Núm.: HU2019CV01074.

(208). Sobre: COBRO DE DINERO (EJECUCIÓN DE HIPOTECA POR LA VÍA ORDINARIA). EDICTO DE SUBASTA.

Al: PÚBLICO EN GENERAL. A: SUCESION DE SATURNINO PINTO SOLIS COMPUESTA POR SATURNINO PINTO RODRIGUEZ, TAMBIÉN CONOCIDO COMO SATURNINO PINTO JR. Y JOSE LUIS PINTO RODRIGUEZ, TAMBIÉN CONOCIDO COMO JOSE L. PINTO.

Yo, MARÍA DEL PILAR RIVERA RIVERA, ALGUACIL REGIONAL, Alguacil de este Tribunal, a la parte demandada y a los acreedores y personas con interés sobre la propiedad que más adelante se describe, y al público en general, HAGO SABER: Que el día 22 DE FEBRERO DE 2022 A LAS 10:30 DE LA MAÑANA en mi oficina, sita en el Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala Superior de Humacao, Humacao, Puerto Rico, venderé en Pública Subasta la propiedad inmueble que más adelante se describe y cuya venta en pública subasta se ordenó por la vía ordinaria al mejor postor quien hará el pago en dinero en efectivo, giro postal o cheque certificado a nombre del o la Alguacil del Tribunal de Primera Instancia. Los autos y todos los documentos correspondientes al procedimiento incoado, estarán de manifiesto en la Secretaría del Tribunal de Humacao durante horas laborables. Que en caso de no producir remate ni adjudicación en la primera subasta a celebrarse, se celebrará una SEGUNDA SUBASTA para la venta de la susodicha propiedad, el día 1RO. DE MARZO DE 2022, A LAS 10:30 DE LA MAÑANA y

@

en caso de no producir remate ni adjudicación, se celebrará una TERCERA SUBASTA el día 8 DE MARZO DE 2022, A LAS 10:30 DE LA MAÑANA de en mi oficina sita en el lugar antes indicado. La propiedad a venderse en pública subasta se describe como sigue: URBANA: Solar marcado con el No. 81 de la URBANIZACIÓN SANTA ELENA, sito en el Barrio Juan Martín de Yabucoa, con un área de 343.750 metros cuadrados, colindando por el Norte, en 13.750 metros, con la Calle No. 7; por el Sur, en 13.750 metros, con el solar No. 102; por el Este, en 25.00 metros, con el solar No. 82; y por el Oeste, en 25.00 metros, con el solar No. 80. Enclava una casa. La escritura de hipoteca se encuentra inscrita al folio 64 del tomo 278 de Yabucoa, Registro de la Propiedad de Humacao, finca número 9198, inscripción 6ª. La dirección física de la propiedad antes descrita es: Urbanización Santa Elena, Número 81, Calle 7, Yabucoa, Puerto Rico. La subasta se llevará a efecto para satisfacer a la parte demandante la suma de $57,024.96 de principal, intereses al 5.875% anual, desde el día 1ro. de septiembre de 2017, hasta su completo pago, más la cantidad de $7,440.00 estipulada para costas, gastos y honorarios de abogado, más recargos acumulados, todas cuyas sumas están líquidas y exigibles. Que la cantidad mínima de licitación en la primera subasta para el inmueble será de $74,400.00 y de ser necesaria una segunda subasta, la cantidad mínima será equivalente a 2/3 partes de aquella, o sea, la suma de $49,600.00 y de ser necesaria una tercera subasta, la cantidad mínima será la mitad del precio pactado, es decir, la suma de $37,200.00. Si se declara desierta la tercera subasta se adjudicará la finca a favor del acreedor por la totalidad de la cantidad adeudada si esta es igual o menor que el monto del tipo de la tercera subasta, si el Tribunal lo estima conveniente.

Se abonará dicho monto a la cantidad adeudada si esta es mayor. La propiedad se adjudicará al mejor postor, quien deberá satisfacer el importe de su oferta en moneda legal y corriente de los Estados Unidos de América en el momento de la adjudicación y que todo licitador acepta como suficiente la titularidad y que las cargas y gravámenes preferentes, si los hubiese, continuarán subsistentes, entendiéndose que el rematante los acepta y queda subrogado en la responsabilidad de los mismos, sin destinarse a su extinción el precio del remate. La propiedad a ser vendida en pública subasta se

Thursday, November 25, 2021 adquirirá libre de cargas y gravámenes posteriores. Podrán concurrir como postores a todas las subastas los titulares de créditos hipotecarios vigentes y posteriores a la hipoteca que se cobra o ejecuta, si alguno o que figuren como tales en la certificación registral y que podrán utilizar el montante de sus créditos o parte de alguno en sus ofertas. Si la oferta aceptada es por cantidad mayor a la suma del crédito o créditos preferentes al suyo, al obtener la buena pro del remate, deberá satisfacer en el mismo acto, en efectivo o en cheque de gerente, la totalidad del crédito hipotecario que se ejecuta y la de cualesquiera otro créditos posteriores al que se ejecuta pero preferente al suyo. El exceso constituirá abono total o parcial en su propio crédito. EN TESTIMONIO DE LO CUAL, expido el presente Edicto para conocimiento y comparecencia de los licitadores, bajo mi firma y sello del Tribunal, en Humacao, Puerto Rico, a 18 de octubre de 2021. MARÍA DEL PILAR RIVERA RIVERA, ALGUACIL REGIONAL, ALGUACIL DEL TRIBUNAL, SALA SUPERIOR DE HUMACAO. WILNELIA RIVERA DELGADO, ALGUACIL AUXILIAR #249.

LEGAL NOTICE 20-1416 IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF PUERTO RICO.

MMG I PR CFL, LLC Plaintiff, vs.

CARMEN LYDIA RAMOS MARTINEZ A/K/A CARMEN L. RAMOS MARTINEZ

Defendants.

CIVIL NO. 19-1699 (GAG). RE: COLLECTION OF MONIES, FORECLOSURE OF MORTGAGE. NOTICE OF SALE.

TO: CARMEN LYDIA RAMOS MARTINEZ A/K/A CARMEN L. RAMOS MARTINEZ: AND TO THE PUBLIC IN GENERAL:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES COMMONWEALTH OF PUERTO RICO. SS. Judgment in favor of plaintiff for the sum of $155,611.27 in principal, accrued interest in the amount of $4,395.06, which continues to accrue until full payment of the debt at the rate of $18.37 per diem, accrued late charges in the amount of $2,105.55 no sufficient fund fee (“NSF”) in the amount of $30.00, as of March 29, 2019, and any other advance, charge, fee or disbursement made by plaintiff on behalf of defendant in, accordance with the mortgage deed, plus costs, and 10% in attorney fees; Pur-

staredictos@thesanjuandailystar.com

suant to the judgment, the undersigned Special Master was ordered to sell at public auction for United States currency in cash or certified check without appraisement or right of redemption to the highest bidder to be held on room 150 of the United States District Court, Federal Building, 350 Chardon Avenue, Hato Rey, Puerto Rico or any other place designated by said Special Master, to cover the sums adjudged to be paid to the plaintiff, the following property: RUSTICA: Parcela de forma irregular radicada en el Barrio Carraízo del término municipal de Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico, marcado con la letra N guion uno (“N-1”) en el plano de inscripción, con una cabida de mil (1,000) metros cuadrados, equivalentes a cero punto dos mil quinientos cuarenta y cuatro (0.2544) cuerdas, en lindes por el NORTE, con Yolanda Figueroa Ramos y Eladio Figueroa, a una distancia de cuarenta y nueve metros con sesenta y seis milésima de otro (49.066 metros); por el SUR, con solar N guion dos (“N-2”), a una distancia de cuarenta y cinco metros con quinientos cuarenta y dos milésima de otro (45.542 metros); por el ESTE, con el remanente de la finca de la cual se segrega, en una distancia de diecinueve metros con doscientos sesenta y seis milésima de otra (19.266 metros); y por el OESTE, con un camino municipal, una distancia de veintitrés metros con trescientos veinticuatro milésima de otro (23.324 metros). Inscrita al folio 221 del 826 de Trujillo Alto, Registro de la Propiedad de Puerto Rico, Sección IV de San Juan, finca número 32,774. Physical address: N1 PR 843 KM 3 4 Bo. Carraízo Trujillo Alto, PR 00976Condominio Campo Real, Apartamento D-129, Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico 00976.

The property is subject to the following liens: 1. Anotacion de Demanda: Caso Civil # KCD060130, Cobro de Dinero y Ejecucion de Hipoteca, seguido por Doral Financial Caribbean Corporation versus Carmen Lydia Ramos Martinez t/c/c Carmen L. Ramos Martinez, por la suma de $165,165.23, mas otras sumas. Anotado el 15 de mayo de 2009 al folio 221 del tomo 826 de Trujillo Alto, finca $32,779, anotacion A, presentado el 8 de junio de 2007. Potential bidders are advised to verify the extent of preferential liens with the holders thereof. It shall be understood that each bidder accepts as sufficient the title and that prior or preferential liens to the one being foreclosed upon, including but not limited to any property tax liens (express, tacit, implied or legal), or homeowner associations dues, to

(787) 743-3346

23 the extent specified under the applicable Condominium Law, shall continue in effect. It being understood that the successful bidder accepts them and is subrogated in the responsibility for the same and that the bid price shall not be applied toward their cancellation. The present property will be acquired free and clear of all junior liens. THEREFORE, the first public sale shall be held on the December 3rd, 2021, at 10:20 a.m., and the minimum bid that will be accepted is the sum of $147,000.00. In the event said first public auction does not produce a bidder and the property is not adjudicated, a second public auction shall be held on the December 10th, 2021, at 10:20 a.m., and the minimum bid that will be accepted is the sum of $98,000.00, 2/3 parts of the minimum bid for the 1st public sale. If said second auction does not result in the adjudication and sale of the property, a third auction will be held on the December 17th, 2021, at 10:20 a.m., and the minimum bid that will be accepted is the sum of $73,500.00, ½ of the minimum bid for the 1st public sale. Upon confirmation of the sale, an order shall be issued canceling all junior liens. For further particulars, reference is made to the judgment entered by the Court in this case, which can be examined in the Office of the Clerk of the United States District Court, Federal Building, Chardon Avenue, Hato Rey, Puerto Rico. In San Juan, Puerto Rico, on October , 2021. AGUEDO DE LA TORRE, Special Master.

LEGAL NOTICE ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA SALA SUPERIOR DE CAGUAS

BANCO POPULAR DE PUERTO RICO Demandante V.

JOSÉ ANTONIO BETANCOURT GARAY; SHEILA LUZ ONEILL SEPULVEDA T/C/C SHEILLA LUZ ONEILL SEPULVEDA

Demandados Civil Núm.: CG2019CV01650.

Sobre: COBRO DE DINERO Y EJECUCIÓN DE HIPOTECA POR LA VÍA ORDINARIA. AVISO DE VENTA EN PÚBLICA SUBASTA. Yo, ÁNGEL GÓMEZ GÓMEZ, ALGUACIL PLACA #593, Alguacil Supervisor de la División de Subastas del Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala de Caguas a los demandados y al público en general les notifico que, cumpliendo con un Mandamiento que se ha librado en el presente caso por el Se-

cretario del Tribunal de epígrafe con fecha 31 de marzo de 2020 y para satisfacer la cantidad adeudada de $128,108.25 de principal mediante Sentencia dictada en el caso de autos el 21 de noviembre de 2019, notificada y archivada en autos el 25 de noviembre de 2019, y publicada mediante edicto en el periódico “The San Juan Daily Star” el 3 de diciembre de 2019, procederé a vender en pública subasta, al mejor postor en pago de contado y en moneda del curso legal de los Estados Unidos de América, mediante efectivo, giro o cheque certificado a nombre del Alguacil de este Tribunal todo derecho, título e interés que hayan tenido tengan o puedan tener los deudores demandados en cuanto a la propiedad localizada en el Municipio de Caguas, Puerto Rico, el bien inmueble se describe a continuación: Carr.

175 KM 2.5, Bo. San Antonio, Sector José A. Díaz, Caguas, P.R. 00746. RÚSTICA: Parcela radicada en el barrio San Antonio del término municipal de Caguas, con una cabida superficial de cero punto seis mil ciento ochenta y tres cuerdas, equivalentes a dos mil cuatrocientos treinta punto ciento sesenta y seis metros cuadrados, en lindes por el Norte en sesenta y dos punto diecinueve metros con la parcela número Uno; por el Sur en cincuenta y seis punto sesenta y dos metros, con una parcela creada en el caso número 3-71-0460LS; por el Este en cuarenta y tres punto sesenta y tres metros, con terrenos de Lorenzo Algarín y por el Oeste en dos alineaciones distintas que suman cuarenta metros, con un camino creado en el caso 3-71-0460-LS. FINCA: Número 32615 inscrita al folio 180 del tomo 955 de Caguas, Sección Primera. Con el importe de dicha venta se habrá de satisfacer a la parte demandante las cantidades adeudadas, en el caso de epígrafe, que se desglosan de la siguiente forma: $128,108.25 por concepto de principal, más intereses al 5.5% anual, más recargos por todo pago en atraso, más escrow en retraso, más $14,529.90 como cantidad estipulada para costas, gastos y honorarios de abogados, así como cualquier otra suma que contenga el contrato de préstamo. El tipo mínimo para la subasta será la suma de tasación pactada, la cual es $145,299.00 para la propiedad antes descrita. De declarase la subasta desierta y tener que celebrarse una segunda subasta el tipo mínimo serán dos terceras partes (2/3) del precio mínimo antes mencionado; $96,866.00. Si tampoco hubiere remate ni adjudicación

en la segunda subasta, regirá como tipo de la tercera subasta la mitad (1/2) del precio pactado; $72,649.50. La PRIMERA SUBASTA se llevará a cabo el 10 DE ENERO DE 2022, A LAS 9:00 DE LA MAÑANA. De no comparecer postor alguno se llevará a efecto una SEGUNDA SUBASTA el 18 DE ENERO DE 2022, A LAS 9:00 DE LA MAÑANA. De no comparecer postor alguno se llevará a cabo una TERCERA SUBASTA el 25 DE ENERO DE 2022, A LAS 9:00 DE LA MAÑANA. La subasta o subastas antes indicadas se llevarán a efecto en mi oficina, localizada en el Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala de Caguas. Se advierte a los licitadores que la adjudicación se hará al mejor postor, quien deberá consignar el importe de su oferta en el mismo acto de la adjudicación en moneda de curso legal de los Estados Unidos de Norteamérica y para conocimiento de la parte demandada y de toda(s) aquella(s) persona(s) que tengan interés inscrito con posterioridad a la inscripción del gravamen que se está ejecutando, y para conocimiento de los licitadores y el público en general y para su publicación en un periódico de circulación general, una vez por semana durante el término de dos (2) semanas consecutivas con un intervalo de por lo menos siete (7) días entre ambas publicaciones, y para su fijación en tres (3) lugares públicos del municipio en que ha de celebrarse la venta, tales como, la Alcaldía, el Tribunal y la Colecturía y se le notificará además a la parte demandada vía correo certificado con acuse de recibo a la última dirección conocida.

La propiedad a ser ejecutada se adquirirá libre de cargas y gravámenes posteriores, previa orden judicial dirigida al Registrador de la Propiedad de la sección correspondiente para la cancelación de aquellos posteriores. Se les advierte a todos los interesados que todos los documentos relacionados con la presente acción de ejecución de hipoteca, así como la de la subasta, estarán disponibles para ser examinados, durante horas laborables, en la Secretaría del Tribunal. Se entenderá que todo licitador acepta como bastante la titularidad y que las cargas y gravámenes anteriores y los preferentes, si los hubiere, al crédito del ejecutante, continuarán subsistentes; entendiéndose que el rematante los acepta y queda subrogado en la responsabilidad de los mismos, sin destinarse a su extinción el precio del remate.

Y para conocimiento de los demandados, de los acreedores posteriores, de los licitadores, partes interesadas y público

en general, expido el presente Aviso para su publicación en los lugares públicos correspondientes. Librado en la Sala de Caguas, Puerto Rico, a 29 de octubre de 2021. ÁNGEL GÓMEZ GÓMEZ, ALGUACIL PLACA #593.

LEGAL NOTICE ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA CENTRO JUDICIAL DE CAROLINA

CONDADO 3, LLC

Parte Demandante V.

OVIDIO PESANTE OTERO Y SU ESPOSA WANDA IVETTE HERNANDEZ BURGOS T/C/C WNADA I. HERNANDEZ BURGOS T/C/C WANDA I. HERNANDEZ BURGOS Y LA SOCIEDAD LEGAL DE BIENES GANANCIALES COMPUESTA POR AMBOS

Parte Demandada Caso Núm.: SJ2020CV060407.

Sobre: COBRO DE DINERO Y EJECUCIÓN DE SETENCIA. AVISO DE VENTA EN PÚBLICA SUBASTA.

A: OVIDIO PESANTE OTERO Y SU ESPOSA WANDA IVETTE HERNANDEZ BURGOS T/C/C WNADA I. HERNANDEZ BURGOS T/C/C WANDA I. HERNANDEZ BURGOS Y LA SOCIEDAD LEGAL DE BIENES GANANCIALES COMPUESTA POR AMBOS: E.M.I. EQUITY MORTGAGE, INC. Y AL PUBLICO EN GENERAL:

El que suscribe, Alguacil del Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala Superior, Centro Judicial de Carolina, Carolina, Puerto Rico, hago saber a la parte demandada, y al PUBLICO EN GENERAL: y a todos los acreedores que tengan inscritos o anotados sus derechos sobre los bienes hipotecados con posterioridad a la inscripción del crédito del ejecutante, o de los acreedores de cargas o derechos reales que los hubiesen pospuesto a la hipoteca ejecutada y las personas interesadas en, o con derecho a exigir el cumplimiento de instrumentos negociables garantizados hipotecariamente con posterioridad al crédito ejecutado, siempre que surjan de la certificación registral, para que puedan concurrir a la subasta si les convenga o satisfacer antes del remate el importe del crédito, de sus intereses, costas y honorarios de abogados asegu-

24 rados, quedando entonces subrogados en los derechos del acreedor ejecutante. Que en cumplimiento del Mandamiento de Ejecución de Sentencia expedido el día 1 de noviembre de 2021, por la Secretaria del Tribunal, procederé a vender y venderé en pública subasta y al mejor postor la propiedad que se describe a continuación: Urb. Lomas de Trujillo Alto, B23 Calle 4, Trujillo Alto, PR 00976: URBANA: Solar número veintitrés (23) del Bloque B del plano de inscripción del proyecto VBC guion cincuentisiete denominado Lomas de Trujillo Alto, radicado en el Barrio Las Cuevas del término municipal de Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico, con una cabida superficial de ciento veintiséis metros cuadrados, con lindes por el NORTE, Con la carretera Estatal número ochocientos cuarentiseis metros; por el SUR, con la calle número cuatro en una distancia de seis metros; por el ESTE, con el solar número veinticuatro, en una distancia de veintiún metros; por el OESTE, con el solar número veintidós en una distancia de veintiún metros.

Consta inscrita al folio 245 del tomo 180 de Trujillo Alto, finca número 9,069, Registro de la Propiedad Sección Cuarta de San Juan. El producto de la subasta se destinará a satisfacer al demandante hasta donde alcance, la SENTENCIA dictada a su favor, la suma de $103,512.59, el cual se desglosa en $91,336.35 de principal, $10,968.71 de intereses, los cuales se continúan acumulándose a razón de $15.86 al día Q(“per diem”) hasta el saldo total de la deuda, $290.00 de seguro de la propiedad (“FPI”), $467.65 de deficiencia en la cuenta Escrow, mas más intereses al 6.875% anual, desde el 1 de marzo de 2015, los cuales continúan acumulándose hasta el pago total de la obligación, cargos por demora mensuales, las cantidades adeudadas de contribuciones e impuestos, primas de seguro contra riesgos y seguro de hipoteca, hasta el pago total de la deuda, más el 10% del principal del pagare para costas, gastos y honorarios de abogado, según pactados. Esta obligación continuará acumulando intereses a razón de 6.875% anual hasta el saldo total de la deuda, para cubrir el principal adeudado, disponiéndose que si quedare algún remanente luego de pagarse las sumas antes mencionadas el mismo deberá ser depositado en la Secretaría del Tribunal para ser entregado a los demandados previa solicitud y orden del Tribunal. La venta de la referida propiedad se verificará libre de toda carga o gravamen que afecte la mencionada finca. La adjudicación se hará al mejor postor, quien deberá consignar el importe de su oferta en el acto mismo de la adjudicación, en efectivo (moneda del curso legal de los

Estados Unidos de América), giro postal o cheque certificado a nombre del alguacil del Tribunal. E.M.I. EQUITY MORTGAGE, INC., o a su orden: A cuyo favor aparece inscrito un pagaré por la suma de $72,250.00, intereses al 5 3/4% anual y a vencer el 1ro de mayo del 2034, según consta de la escritura número 143 otorgada 30 de abril de 2004, ante el Notario David Cardona Dingui, Inscrito al folio 49 del tomo 814 de Trujillo Alto, Registro de la Propiedad de San Juan, Sección Cuarta, finca número 9,069. LA PRIMERA SUBASTA se llevará a efecto el 19 DE ENERO DE 2022 A LAS 9:45 DE LA MAÑANA, en la oficina del referido Alguacil, localizada en el Centro Judicial de Carolina, Carolina, Puerto Rico. Que el precio mínimo fijado para la PRIMERA SUBASTA es de $105,904.00.

Que de ser necesaria la celebración de una SEGUNDA SUBASTA, la misma se llevará a efecto el día el 26 DE ENERO DE 2022 A LAS 9:45 DE LA MAÑANA, en la oficina antes mencionada del Alguacil que suscribe. El precio mínimo para la SEGUNDA SUBASTA será de $70,602.66 equivalentes a dos terceras (2/3) partes del tipo mínimo estipulado para la PRIMERA subasta. Que de ser necesaria la celebración de una TERCERA SUBASTA la misma se llevará a efecto el día el 2 DE FEBRERO DE 2022 A LAS 9:45 DE LA MAÑANA, en la oficina antes mencionada del Alguacil que suscribe. El precio mínimo para la TERCERA SUBASTA será de $52,952.00, equivalentes a la mitad (1/2) del tipo mínimo estipulado para la PRIMERA subasta. Si se declarase desierta la tercera subasta, se adjudicará la finca a favor del acreedor por la totalidad de la cantidad adeudada si ésta es igual o menor que el monto del tipo de la tercera subasta, si el Tribunal lo estima conveniente; se abonará dicho monto a la cantidad adeudada si esta es mayor, todo ello a tenor con lo dispone el Articulo 104 de la Ley Núm. 210 del 8 de diciembre de 2015 conocida como “Ley del Registro de la Propiedad Inmueble del Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico”.

La propiedad a ser ejecutada se adquiere libre de toda carga y gravamen que afecte la mencionada finca según el Artículo 102, inciso 6. Una vez confirmada la venta judicial por el Honorable Tribunal, se procederá a otorgar la correspondiente escritura de venta judicial y se pondrá al comprador en posesión física del inmueble de conformidad con las disposiciones de Ley. Para conocimiento de la parte demandada y de toda aquella persona o personas que tengan interés inscrito con posterioridad a la inscripción del gravamen que se está ejecutando, y para conocimiento de todos los licitadores y el público en general, el presente

The San Juan Daily Star

Thursday, November 25, 2021

Edicto se publicará por espacio de dos (2) semanas consecutivas, con un intervalo de por lo menos siete días entre ambas publicaciones, en un diario de circulación general en el Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico y se fijará además en tres (3) lugares públicos del Municipio en que ha de celebrarse dicha venta, tales como la Alcaldía, el Tribunal y la Colecturía. Se les informa, por último, que: a. Que los autos y todos los documentos correspondientes al procedimiento incoado estarán de manifiesto en la secretaría del tribunal durante las horas laborables. b. Que se entenderá que todo licitador acepta como bastante la titularidad y que las cargas y gravámenes anteriores y los preferentes, si los hubiere, al crédito del ejecutante continuarán subsistentes. Se entenderá, que el rematante los acepta y queda subrogado en la responsabilidad de los mismos, sin destinarse a su extinción el precio del remate.

EXPIDO, el presente EDICTO, en Carolina, Puerto Rico, hoy día 4 de noviembre de 2021.

MANUEL VILLAFAÑE BLANCO, ALGUACIL PLACA #830, DIVISIÓN DE SUBASTAS, TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA, SALA SUPERIOR DE CAROLINA.

LEGAL NOTICE ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA CENTRO JUDICIAL DE AGUADILLA SALA SUPERIOR

BANCO POPULAR DE PUERTO RICO Parte Demandante Vs.

CARLOS COSTAS SANTIAGO, MURIEL RUIZ IRIZARRY Y LA SOCIEDAD LEGAL DE GANANCIALES COMPUESTA POR AMBOS

Parte Demandada Civil Núm.: ABCI201700389.

Sala: 602. Sobre: COBRO DE DINERO y EJECUCIÓN DE HIPOTECA POR LA VÍA ORDINARIA. ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA, EL PRESIDENTE DE LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS, EL ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO, SS. AVISO DE PÚBLICA SUBASTA. El Alguacil que suscribe por la presente anuncia y hace constar que en cumplimiento de la Sentencia dictada el 19 de febrero de 2021, la Orden de Ejecución de Sentencia del 24 de agosto de 2021 y el Mandamiento de Ejecución del 31 de agosto de 2021 en el caso de epígrafe, procederé a vender el día 19 DE ENERO DE 2022 A LAS 10:00 DE LA MAÑANA, en mi oficina, localizada en la Oficina del Alguacil, en el Segundo Piso del Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Centro Judicial de Aguadilla, Sala Superior, en 70 Calle Progreso, Aguadilla, Puerto Rico (al lado del Coliseo

Luis T. Díaz), al mejor postor en pago de contado y en moneda de los Estados Unidos de América, cheque de gerente o giro postal a nombre del Alguacil del Tribunal; todo título, derecho o interés de la parte demandada sobre la siguiente propiedad: URBANA: Apartamento Número S-302 para uso residencial, situado en el tercer piso del Condominio Rincón Ocean Club II, en el Barrio Calvache, lugar denominado Córcega del municipio de Rincón, Puerto Rico, con un área superficial de 959.00 pies cuadrados, equivalentes a 89.13 metros cuadrados. En linderos por el NORTE, en 31’ 8” con elementos exteriores del edificio, en 13’ 1” con el apartamento número S-303 y en 6’ 2” con el mismo apartamento S-303; por el SUR, en 38’ 8” con elementos exteriores del edificio y en 12’ 3” con el apartamento S-301; por el ESTE, en dos alineaciones, de 4’ 6” y 18’ 9” con el apartamento S-303; y por el OESTE, en 8’ 9” con elementos exteriores del edificio, en 12’ 9” con el apartamento S-301 y en 2’ con elementos exteriores del edificio. El apartamento consta de sala, comedor, cocina, dos (2) cuartos para dormitorio, dos (2)baños, laundry y terraza.

Tiene su entrada principal por el lado Sur del edificio. A este apartamento le corresponde el uso exclusivo de los estacionamientos marcados con los números 9 y 21. Le corresponde el siguiente porcentaje de participación: 4.60% en los elementos comunes generales y 27.62% en los elementos comunes limitados. La propiedad consta inscrita al Folio 29 del Tomo 154 de Rincón, Finca Número 7409, Registro de la Propiedad de Aguadilla. La escritura de hipoteca consta inscrita al Folio 106 del Tomo 155 de Rincón, Finca Número 7409, Registro de la Propiedad de Aguadilla. Inscripción sexta.

DIRECCIÓN FÍSICA: RINCÓN OCEAN CLUB II, APT. S-302 RINCÓN, PR 00677. SUBASTAS: FECHAS: PRIMERA: 19 DE ENERO DE 2022 A LAS 10:00 DE LA MAÑANA. TIPO MÍNIMO: $200,000.00.

SEGUNDA: 26 DE ENERO DE 2022 A LAS 10:00 DE LA MAÑANA. TIPO MÍNIMO: $133,333.33. TERCERA: 2 DE FEBRERO DE 2022 A LAS 10:00 DE LA MAÑANA. TIPO MÍNIMO: $100,000.00. El tipo mínimo para la primera subasta será de $200,000.00. De no haber adjudicación en la primera subasta se celebrará una SEGUNDA SUBASTA, el día 26 DE ENERO DE 2022 A LAS 10:00 DE LA MAÑANA, en el mismo lugar, en la cual el tipo mínimo será de dos terceras partes del tipo mínimo fijado en la primera subasta, o sea, $133,333.33. De no haber adjudicación en la segunda subasta, se celebrará una TERCERA SUBASTA, día 2 DE FEBRERO DE 2022 A LAS 10:00 DE LA

MAÑANA, en el mismo lugar, en la cual el tipo mínimo será la mitad del precio pactado, o sea, $100,000.00. Si se declarase desierta la tercera subasta, se adjudicará la finca a favor del acreedor por la totalidad de la cantidad adeudada si ésta es igual o menor que el monto del tipo de la tercera subasta, si el tribunal lo estima conveniente.

Se abonará dicho monto a la cantidad adeudada si ésta es mayor. Dicho remate se llevará a cabo para con su producto satisfacer a la demandante el importe de la Sentencia por la suma de $160,248.19 de principal, más intereses sobre dicha suma al 6.25% anual desde el 1 de octubre de 2016 hasta su completo pago, más $2,364.51 de recargos adeudados desde el día 1 de noviembre de 2016 hasta su total pago, más la cantidad estipulada de $20,000.00 para costas, gastos y honorarios de abogados, así como cualquier otra suma que contenga el contrato del préstamo. Surge del Estudio de Título Registral que sobre esta propiedad pesan los siguientes gravámenes posteriores a la hipoteca que por la presente se pretende ejecutar: a) Hipoteca: Constituida por Carlos Costas Santiago y su esposa Muriel Ruiz Irizarry en garantía a un pagaré a favor de Doral Mortgage Corporation, o a su orden, por la suma de $50,000.00, sus intereses al 6 ¼% anual y vencedero el 1 de diciembre de 2034, según Escritura Número 594, otorgada en San Juan, Puerto Rico, el 16 de noviembre de 2004, ante la Notario Waleska C. Colón Villanueva.

Inscrita al folio 106 del Tomo 155 de Rincón. Inscripción séptima. b) Aviso de demanda: Pleito seguido por Banco Popular de Puerto Rico Vs. Carlos Costas Santiago y su esposa Muriel Ruiz Irizarry ante el Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala de Aguadilla, en el Caso Civil Número ABCI201700388, sobre Cobro de Dinero y Ejecución de Hipoteca, en la que se reclama el pago de hipoteca, con un balance de $40,061.61 y otras cantidades, según Demanda de fecha 18 de abril de 2017. Anotada al Tomo Karibe de Rincón. Anotación A. c) Aviso de demanda: Pleito seguido por Banco Popular de Puerto Rico Vs. Carlos Costas Santiago y su esposa Muriel Ruiz Irizarry ante el Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala de Aguadilla, en el Caso Civil Número ABCI201700389, sobre Cobro de Dinero y Ejecución de Hipoteca, en la que se reclama el pago de hipoteca, con un balance de $160,248.19 y otras cantidades, según Demanda de fecha 18 de abril de 2017. Anotada al Tomo Karibe de Rincón. Anotación B. Se le advierte a los interesados que todos los documentos relacionados con la presente acción de ejecución de hipoteca, así como los de Subasta, estarán

disponibles para ser examinados, durante horas laborables, en el expediente del caso que obra en los archivos de la Secretaría del Tribunal, bajo el número de epígrafe y para su publicación en un periódico de circulación general en Puerto Rico por espacio de dos semanas y por lo menos una vez por semana; y para su fijación en los sitios públicos requeridos por ley. Se entenderá que todo licitador acepta como bastante la titularidad y que las cargas y gravámenes anteriores y los preferentes, si los hubiere, al crédito del ejecutante, continuarán subsistentes; entendiéndose que el rematante los acepta y queda subrogado en la responsabilidad de los mismos, sin destinarse a su extinción el precio del remate y que la propiedad a ser ejecutada se adquirirá libre de cargas y gravámenes posteriores tal como lo expresa la Ley Núm. 2102015. Y para el conocimiento de los demandados, de los acreedores posteriores, de los licitadores, partes interesadas y público en general, EXPIDO para su publicación en los lugares públicos correspondientes, el presente Aviso de Pública Subasta en Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, hoy 3 de noviembre de 2021. LUIS A. FERRER BURGOS, ALGUACIL, TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA, CENTRO JUDICIAL DE AGUADILLA, SALA SUPERIOR.

LEGAL NOT ICE ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA SALA SUPERIOR DE VEGA BAJA.

FIRSTBANK PUERTO RICO

Parte Demandante VS.

MARIO FERNANDEZ ACEVEDO y su esposa ANA AIXA OTERO ADORNO y la Sociedad Legal de Bienes Gananciales compuesta por ambos,

Parte Demandada CIVIL NÚM. BY2019CV03400.

SOBRE: EJECUCIÓN DE HIPOTECA IN REM. EDICTO DE SUBASTA. ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA EL PRESIDENTE DE LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE P.R. SS.

A: MARIO FERNANDEZ ACEVEDO Y SU ESPOSA ANA AIXA OTERO ADORNO YA LA SOCIEDAD LEGAL DE BIENES GANANCIALES COMPUESTA POR AMBOS: LA AUTORIDAD PARA EL FINANCIAMIENTO DE LA VIVIENDA DE PUERTO RICO : Y AL PÚBLICO EN GENERAL:

El Alguacil que suscribe, certifi-

ca y hace constar que en cumplimiento de Mandamiento de Ejecución de Sentencia que me ha sido dirigido por la Secretaría del Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala Superior de Vega Baja, procederé a vender en pública subasta y al mejor postor, por separado, de contado y por moneda de curso legal de los Estados Unidos de América.

Todo pago recibido por el (la) Alguacil por concepto de subastas será en efectivo, giro postal o cheque certificado a nombre del (de la) Alguacil del Tribunal de Primera Instancia. Todo derecho, título, participación e interés que le corresponda a la parte demandada o cualquiera de ellos en el inmueble hipotecado objeto de ejecución que se describe a continuación: RUSTICA: Predio de terreno identificado con el número dos (2) en el plano de inscripción, localizado en el Barrio Pugnado Adentro del término municipal de Vega Baja, Puerto Rico, con una cabida superficial de ocho mil ochocientos cuarenta y cuatro metros cuadrados con tres mil setenta y una diez milésimas de otro metro cuadrado (8,844.3071m.c), equivalentes a dos cuerdas con dos mil quinientos dos milésimas de otra cuerda (2.2502cdas.), y en lindes por el NORTE, en distancias formadas por puntos no colineales que suman ciento dos metros con noventa y cuatro milésimas de otro metro (102.094m), con el señor Israel Meléndez; por el SUR, en dos distancias, una de ciento treinta y un metros con mil setecientos setenta y seis milésimas de otro (131.1776m), con el predio identificado con el número uno (1) en el plano de inscripción y en otra distancia de veintinueve metros con cuatro mil trescientos ocho diez milésimas de otro metro (29.4308m), con el predio identificado con el número tres (3) en el plano de inscripción; por el ESTE, en dos distancias una de cuarenta y un metros con cinco mil trescientos cincuenta y ocho diez milésimas de otro metro (41.5358m), con el predio identificado con el número tres (3) en el plano de inscripción y en otra distancia de treinta y ocho metros con cuatro diez milésimas de otro metro (38.4704m), con faja de terreno a dedicarse a uso público que a su vez colinda con la Calle Municipal asfaltada; y por el OESTE, en distancias formadas por puntos no colineales que suman ciento veintitrés metros setecientos sesenta y una diez milésimas de otro metro (123.0771m), con faja de terreno a dedicarse a uso público. Manifiestan las partes que sobre el solar pavimentado descrito enclava una estructura para fines residenciales. Consta inscrita al folio 28 del tomo 446 de Vega Baja, finca número 32,344. Registro de la Propiedad, Sección Cuarta de Bayamón. La propiedad objeto de ejecución está locali-

zada en la siguiente dirección: PR 643 KM 5.3 Int., Lote 2, Los Turpiales, Sector Turpiales, Sector Pugnado Adrentro, Vega Baja, P.R. 00623. La escritura de hipoteca consta inscrita al folio 143 del tomo 453 de Vega Baja, Inscripción 5ta. Según figura en el Estudio de título, la propiedad objeto de ejecución está gravada al siguiente Gravamen posterior a la inscripción del crédito ejecutante: LA AUTORIDAD PARA EL FINANCIAMINETO DE LA VIVIENDA DE PUERTO RICO: AL ASIENTO 2017-056588-BY04 DEL SISTEMA KARIBE, se presentó el día 19 de mayo d2017, la escritura número 166, otorgada en San Juan, Puerto Rico, el día 27 de abril de 2017, a la notario Alexandra M. Serracante Cadilla, mediante la cual comparece La Autoridad para el Financiamiento de la Vivienda de Puerto Rico a dar su consentimiento a la ampliación y modificación de hipoteca presentada al Asiento 2016-128102-BY04. Se le notifica a los acreedores posteriores anteriormente identificados para que puedan concurrir a la subasta si les convenga o satisfacer antes del remate el importe del crédito, de sus intereses, costas y honorarios de abogados asegurados, quedando entonces subrogados en los derechos del acreedor ejecutante. Se informa que la propiedad a ser ejecutada se adquirirá libre de cargas y gravamen posterior, una vez sea otorgada la escritura de venta judicial y obtenida la Orden y Mandamiento de cancelación de gravamen posterior. (Art. 51, Ley 210-2015). En relación a la finca a subastarse, se establece como tipo mínimo de licitación en la Primera Subasta la suma de $197,264.30, según acordado entre las partes en el precio pactado en la Escritura de Hipoteca #155 otorgada en Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, el día 30 de abril de 2012, ante el notario Manuel Rivera Meléndez, inscrita al folio 143 del tomo 453 de Vega Baja, finca #32,344, inscripción 5ta. La PRIMERA SUBASTA, se llevará a cabo el día 19 DE ENERO DE 2022 A LAS 10:00 DE LA MAÑANA, en el Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala Superior de Vega Baja. Si la primera subasta del inmueble no produjere remate, ni adjudicación, se celebrará una SEGUNDA SUBASTA el día 26 DE ENERO DE 2022 A LAS 10:00 DE LA MAÑANA, en el mismo sitio y servirá de tipo mínimo las dos terceras partes del precio pactada para la primera subasta, o sea, la suma de $131,509.53. Si la segunda subasta no produjere remate, ni adjudicación, se celebrará una TERCERA SUBASTA el día 2 DE FEBRERO DE 2022 A LAS 10:00 DE LA MAÑANA, en el mismo lugar y regirá como tipo mínimo de la tercera subasta la mitad del precio pactado para la primera, o sea, la suma de $98,632.15. Dicha

The San Juan Daily Star subasta se llevará a cabo, para con su producto satisfacer a la parte demandante el importe de la Sentencia dictada a su favor, a saber: Suma Principal: $188,038.37 más intereses a razón del 4.0% anual, desde el 1ro de octubre de 2018, hasta el presente y la los que se continúen acumulando hasta su total y completo pago más los cargos por demora que se corresponden a los plazos atrasados desde la fecha anteriormente indicada a razón de la tasa pactada de 5% de cualquier pago que éste en mora por más de quince (15) días desde la fecha de su vencimiento, más adelantos para el pago de seguros y contribuciones, entre otros, más la suma equivalente a $19,387.70 por concepto de costas, gastos y honorarios de abogado todo en virtud de las disposiciones de la escritura de hipoteca y del Pagaré hipotecario. Para más información, a las personas interesadas se les notifica que los autos y todos los documentos correspondientes al procedimiento incoado, estarán de manifiesto en la Secretaría del Tribunal, durante las horas laborables. Este EDICTO DE SUBASTA, se publicará en los lugares públicos correspondientes y en un periódico de circulación general en la jurisdicción de Puerto Rico. Se entenderá que todo licitador acepta como bastante la titularidad y que las cargas y gravámenes anteriores y los referentes, si los hubiere, al crédito del ejecutante continuarán subsistentes.

Se entenderá, que el rematante los acepta y queda subrogado en la responsabilidad de los mismos, sin destinarse a su extinción el precio del remate. Se procederá a otorgar la correspondiente Escritura de Venta Judicial y el Alguacil pondrá en posesión judicial al nuevo dueño, si así se lo solicita dentro del término de veinte (20) días, de conformidad con las disposiciones de Ley. Si transcurren los referidos veinte (20) días, el tribunal podrá ordenar, sin necesidad de ulterior procedimiento, que se lleve a efecto el desalojo o lanzamiento del ocupante u ocupantes de la finca o de todos los que por orden o tolerancia del deudor la ocupen.

Se informa que la propiedad objeto de ejecución se adquiere libre de cargas y gravámenes posteriores. Expedido en Vega Baja, Puerto Rico, a 15 de noviembre de 2021. Freddy Omar Rodriguez Collazo, Alguacil.

Thursday, November 25, 2021 Fernando García Vega y Lourdes Sanabria Arias

Demandados CIVIL NÚM: CG2019CV04400.

SOBRE: COBRO DE DINERO Y EJECUCIÓN DE HIPOTECA POR LA VÍA ORDINARIA. EDICTO DE SUBASTA. El Alguacil que suscribe por la presente CERTIFICA, ANUNCIA y hace CONSTAR: Que en cumplimiento de un Mandamiento de Ejecución de Sentencia que le ha sido dirigido al Alguacil que suscribe por la Secretaría del TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA CENTRO JUDICIAL DE CAGUAS SALA SUPERIOR, en el caso de epígrafe procederá a vender en pública subasta al mejor postor quién pagará de contado y en moneda de curso legal de los Estados Unidos de América, giro postal o por cheque de gerente a nombre del Alguacil del Tribunal de Primera Instancia el día 10 de enero de 2022,a la 10:00 de la mañana en su oficina sita en el local que ocupa en el edificio del TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA CENTRO JUDICIAL DE CAGUAS SALA SUPERIOR, todo derecho, título e interés que tenga la parte demandada de epígrafe en el inmueble de su propiedad que ubica en Cond. Caminito, Edif. 27 Apt. 2701, Gurabo, PR 00778 y que se describe a continuación: URBANA: PROPIEDAD HORIZONTAL. Apartamiento residencial Número (2701), localizado en la Primera Planta del Módulo (27), Edificio ‘I’ del Condominio Caminito, localizado en la Carretera Estatal PR-189, kilómetro 8.6 en el Barrio Mamey del término municipal de Gurabo, Puerto Rico, con la descripción, área y colindancias que se relacionan a continuación: por el Norte, con elemento común; por el Sur, con elemento común; por el Este, con el Apartamento Número 2702 y con elemento común; y por el Oeste, con el Apartamento Número 2802.

Este apartamento está construído en hormigón armado y bloques. Consta de un nivel con su puerta de entrada y escalera del edificio por el lindero Este. Consta de sala-comedor, balcón, cocina con un área de lavandería, un segundo baño, dos dormitorios con sus closets, pasillo, linen closet y dormitorio principal con baño y closet. Este apartamento tiene como uso exclusivo y como anejo dos estacionamientos sencillos, identificados con el número (148), con un área de LEGAL NOTICE 11.50 metros cuadrados y núM&T mero 149 con un área de 11.50 480994 metros cuadrados, identificaESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO dos en el ‘Site plan’ y los planos DE PUERTO RICO TRIBU- aprobados del Condominio. El NAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA área de los estacionamientos CENTRO JUDICIAL DE CA- anejos no está incluida en el GUAS SALA SUPERIOR. cómputo del área superficial del Lakeview Loan Servicing, apartamento, ni en la determinación del porciento de particiLLC. pación en los elementos comuDemandante v. nes del Condominio. El área

total de la superficie interior del apartamento utilizada para determinar el porciento de participación en los elementos comunes del Condominio que incluye solo el área interior y el balcón es 96.19 metros cuadrados.

Area interior del apartamento: 90.85 metros cuadrados. Area total del balcón: 5.34 metros cuadrados. A este apartamento le corresponde una participación de 0.470% en los elementos comunes del Condominio.

La propiedad antes relacionada consta inscrita en el Folio 177 del Tomo 494 de Gurabo, finca número 19262, en el Registro de la Propiedad de Caguas, Sección Segunda. El tipo mínimo para la primera subasta del inmueble antes relacionado, será el dispuesto en la Escritura de Hipoteca, es decir la suma de $125,917.00. Si no hubiere remate ni adjudicación en la primera subasta del inmueble mencionado, se celebrará una segunda subasta en las oficinas del Alguacil que suscribe el 18 de enero de 2022, a la 10:00 de la mañana. En la segunda subasta que se celebre servirá de tipo mínimo las dos terceras partes (2/3) del precio pactado en la primera subasta, o sea la suma de $83,944.67. Si tampoco hubiere remate ni adjudicación en la segunda subasta se celebrará una tercera subasta en las oficinas del Alguacil que suscribe el 25 de enero de 2022, a la 10:00 de la mañana.

Para la tercera subasta servirá de tipo mínimo la mitad (1/2) del precio pactado para el caso de ejecución, o sea, la suma de $62,958.50. La hipoteca a ejecutarse en el caso de epígrafe fue constituida mediante la escritura número 352, otorgada el día 20 de diciembre de 2012, ante el Notario Manuel E. Maldonado Pérez y consta inscrita en el Folio 177 del Tomo 494 de Gurabo, finca número 19262, en el Registro de la Propiedad de Caguas, Sección Segunda, inscripción segunda. Dicha subasta se llevará a cabo para con su producto satisfacer al Demandante total o parcialmente según sea el caso el importe de la Sentencia que ha obtenido ascendente a la suma de $108,152.33 por concepto de principal, más intereses al tipo pactado de 3.250% anual desde el día 1 de junio de 2019.

Dichos intereses continúan acumulándose hasta el pago total de la obligación. Se pagarán también los cargos por demora equivalentes a 4.000% de la suma de aquellos pagos con atrasos en exceso de 15 días calendarios de la fecha vencimiento, la suma de $12,591.70 para costas, gastos y honorarios de abogado, la suma de $12,591.70 para cubrir los intereses en adición a los garantizados por ley y la suma de $12,591.70 para cubrir cualquier otro adelanto que se haga en virtud de la escritura de hipoteca; más intereses según provisto por la Regla 44.3 de las de

Procedimiento Civil. Que los autos y todos los documentos correspondientes al Procedimiento incoado estarán de manifiesto en la SECRETARIA DEL TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA CENTRO JUDICIAL DE CAGUAS SALA SUPERIOR durante las horas laborables. Se entenderá que todo licitador acepta como bastante la titularidad del inmueble y que las cargas y gravámenes anteriores y los preferentes, si los hubiere, al crédito del ejecutante continuarán subsistentes.

Se entenderá que el rematante los acepta y queda subrogado en la responsabilidad de los mismos, sin destinarse a su extinción el precio de remate. La propiedad está sujeta a los siguientes gravámenes anteriores y/o preferentes según las constancias del Registro de la Propiedad. CONDICCIONES RESTRICTIVAS: La Autoridad para el Financiamiento de la Vivienda de Puerto Rico bajo el programa “Mi Nuevo Hogar” por un plazo de 10 años, por la cantidad de $5,733.02, según escritura número 55, otorgada en Guaynabo, el 20 de diciembre de 2012, ante el notario Francisco J. Ramos Martínez. Inscrito al Folio 177 del Tomo 494 de Gurabo, inscripción primera.

Surge de un estudio de título efectuado que, sobre la finca descrita anteriormente, pesan los gravámenes posteriores a la hipoteca que se ejecuta mediante este procedimiento que se relacionan más adelante. A los acreedores que tengan inscritos o anotados sus derechos sobre los bienes hipotecados con posterioridad a la inscripción del crédito del ejecutante o acreedores de cargos o derechos reales que los hubiesen pospuesto a la hipoteca del actor y a los dueños, poseedores, tenedores de, o interesados en títulos transmisibles por endoso, o al portador, garantizados hipotecariamente con posterioridad al crédito del actor por la presente se notifica, que se celebrarán las subastas en las fechas, horas y sitios señalados para que puedan concurrir a la subasta si les conviniere o se les invita a satisfacer antes del remate el importe del crédito, de sus intereses, otros cargos y las costas y honorarios de abogado asegurados quedando subrogados en los derechos del acreedor ejecutante. AVISO DE DEMANDA: Pleito seguido por Lakeview Loan Servicing LLC vs Fernando García Vega y Lourdes Sanabria Arias (solteros), ante el Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala Superior de Caguas, en el caso civil CG2018CV02951, Cobro de Dinero y Ejecución de Hipoteca, en la que se reclama el pago de hipoteca por la suma de $111,433.16 y otras cantidades, según Demanda de fecha del 20 de noviembre de 2018.

Inscrito al Tomo Karibe de Gurabo, Anotación A. CANCELACION: El 29 de diciembre de

2020 se presento al asiento 2020-106917-CA02, instancia fechada el 29 de diciembre de 2020, ante la notario Miled. Forestier Santos, número de testimonio 19668, solicitando la cancelación de la Anotación de Demanda por la suma de $111,433.16 y otras sumas (Anotación A). Y para conocimiento de licitadores del público en general se publicará este Edicto de acuerdo con la ley por espacio de dos semanas en tres sitios públicos del municipio en que ha de celebrarse la venta, tales como la alcaldía, el Tribunal y la colecturía. Este Edicto será publicado mediante edictos dos veces en un diario de circulación general en el Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico, por espacio de dos semanas consecutivas. La propiedad a ser ejecutada se adquirirá libre de cargas y gravámenes posteriores sujeto a lo dispuesto en los Artículos 113 al 116 de la Ley 210 del 8 de diciembre de 2015, según aplique. Expido el presente Edicto de subasta bajo mi firma, en Caguas, Puerto Rico, hoy día 30 de SEPTIEMBRE de 2021. FDO. ANGEL GOMEZ GOMEZ, ALGUACIL PLACA 593.

LEGAL NOTICE IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF PUERTO RICO.

Lime Homes, LTD Plaintiff, v.

Suheil Cintrón Ortiz

Defendants CIVIL NO: 3:16-cv-02698-JAG. RE: Collection of Money and Mortgage Foreclosure. NOTICE OF SALE.

TO: Suheil Cintrón Ortiz, General Public and all parties that may have an interest in the property

WHEREAS, Judgment in favor of Plaintiff was entered for the principal sum of $140,622.95 plus interest at a rate of 6.00% per annum since December 1, 2015 until the debt is paid in full. Such interests continue to accrue until the debt is paid in full. The defendant was also ordered to pay Plaintiff late charges in the amount of 5.000% of each and any monthly installment not received by the note holder within 15 days after the installment was due until the debt is paid in full. Such late charges continue to accrue until the debt is paid in full. The defendant was also ordered to pay Plaintiff all advances made under the mortgage note including but not limited to insurance premiums, taxes and inspections as well as 10% of the original principal amount ($9,450.00) to cover costs, expenses, and attorney’s fees guaranteed under the mortgage obligation.

The records of the case and these proceedings may be examined by interested parties at the Office of the Clerk of the United States District Court,

25

Federal Building, Chardon Avenue, Hato Rey, Puerto Rico or by accessing the electronic court records. WHEREAS, pursuant to said judgment, the undersigned SPECIAL MASTER, Joel Ronda-Feliciano, was ordered to sell at public auction for US currency in cash or certified check, without appraisal or right to redemption to the highest bidder and at Special Master’s Office located at 441 Calle E, Frailes Industrial Park, Guaynabo, 00969, Puerto Rico (18.3698579, -66.1124836) the following property: URBANA: Solar de forma rectangular que mide 12.00 metros de frente por 21.00 metros de fondo marcado con el número 30 de la manzana GE de la Urbanización Puerto Nuevo, propiedad de la Everlasting Develpment Corporation, que radica en el Barrio Monacillos de Río Piedras, Puerto Rico, con un área superficial de 283.50 metros cuadrados. En lindes por el Norte, en 21.00 metros lineales con el solar número 436 de la urbanización; por el Sur, en 21.00 metros lineales, con el solar número 500 y la parcela B de la urbanización; por el Este, en 13.50 metros con la Calle Apeninos de la urbanización; y por el Oeste, en 13.50 metros con el solar número 437 y la parcela C de la urbanización. Enclava edificación. The property is identified with the number 25,883 and is recorded at page number 95 of volume number 899 of Monacillos, in the Registry of Property of San Juan, Third Section. WHEREAS, The mortgage foreclosed as part of the instant proceeding is recorded at page number 97 of volume number 988 of Monacillos, Fourth inscription in the Registry of Property of San Juan, Third Section. The mortgage was modified to increase the principal amount to $97,278.00 and to modified maturity date to April 1st, 2035, as per deed number 74, issued in San Juan, on April 29, 2005 by Notary Public Luis A. Arrufat Pimentel; recorded at page 191 of volume 1037 (ágora) of Monacillos, Registry of San Juan, Third Section, fifth entry. The mortgage was modified for a second time to increase the principal amount to $106,031.00 and to modified maturity date to April 1st, 2035, as per deed number 89, issued in San Juan on April 6, 2009 before Notary Public Luis A. Arrufat Pimentel; recorded at page 191 of volume 1037 (ágora) of Monacillos, Registry of San Juan, Third Section, sixth entry.

The mortgage was modified to increase the principal amount to $111,127.80 and to change maturity date to June 1st, 2041, as per deed number 95, issued in San Juan, on May 30, 2011 before Notary Public Carlos O. Bermúdez Monroig; recorded at page 191 of volume 1037 (ágora) of Monacillos, Registry of San Juan, Third Section, seventh sentry. Potential bidders

are advised to verify the extent of preferential liens with the holders thereof. It is understood that the potential bidders acquire the property subject to any and all the senior liens that encumber the property. It shall be understood that each bidder accepts as sufficient the title that prior and preferential liens to the one being foreclosed upon, including but not limited to any property tax liens (express, tacit, implied or legal) shall continue in effect it being understood further that the successful bidder accepts then and is subrogated in the responsibility for the same and the bid price shall not be applied toward the cancellation of the senior liens. WHEREFORE, the FIRST public sale will be held on JANUARY 14, 2022 AT 9:35 AM and the minimum bidding amount that will be accepted is the sum of $111,127.80. In the event said first auction does not produce a bidder and the property is not adjudicated, a SECOND public auction shall be held on JANUARY 21, 2022 AT 9:35 AM and the minimum bidding amount that will be accepted is the sum of $74,085.20. If said second auction does not result in the adjudication and sale of the property, a THIRD public auction shall be held on JANUARY 28, 2022 AT 9:35 AM and the minimum bidding amount that will be accepted is the sum of $55,563.90. Upon confirmation of the sale, an order shall be issued canceling all junior liens. For further particulars, reference is made to the judgment entered by the Court in this case, which can be examined in the office of the Clerk of the Unites States District Court. San Juan, Puerto Rico, this day of November 17, 2021. (sing.) Joel Ronda-Feliciano, Special Master (787) 565-0515, Email: rondajoel@me.com. ***

COMO TENEDOR DESCONOCIDO DEL PAGARÉ a favor de Doral Bank por la suma $271,378.00, con intereses al 7.5% anual.

Vencimiento el 1 de diciembre de 2031. Así resulta de la escritura número 982 otorgada en San Juan el 29 de noviembre de 2001, ante el notario Kendall Krans Negrón, inscrita a la finca 17,800 de Gurabo, Registro de la Propiedad de Puerto Rico, Segunda Sección de Caguas.

Por la presente se le emplaza y notifica que debe contestar la demanda incoada en su contra dentro del término de treinta (30) días a partir de la publicación del presente edicto. Usted deberá presentar su alegación responsiva a través del Sistema Unificado de Manejo y Administración de Casos (SUMAC), al cual puede acceder utilizando la siguiente dirección electrónica: https://unired.ramajudicial. pr/sumac/, salvo que se represente por derecho propio. Si usted deja de presentar y notificar su alegación responsiva dentro del referido término, el Tribunal podrá dictar sentencia en rebeldía en su contra y conceder el remedio solicitado en la Demanda, o cualquier otro, si el Tribunal, en el ejercicio de su sana discreción, lo entiende procedente. Los abogados de la parte demandante son.

ABOGADOS DE LA PARTE DEMANDANTE: Lcdo. Reggie Díaz Hernández RUA Núm.: 16,393 BERMUDEZ DIAZ & SÁNCHEZ LLP Suite 209 500 Calle De La Tanca San Juan, Puerto Rico 00901 Tel.: (787) 523-2670 Fax: (787) 523-2664 rdíaz@bdslawpr.com Expido este edicto bajo mi firLEGAL NOTICE ma y el sello de este Tribunal, ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO hoy 16 de noviembre de 2021.

DE PUERTO RICO TRIBU- LISILDA MARTÍNEZ AGOSNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA TO, SECRETARIA GENERAL. SALA DE CAGUAS ENEIDA ARROYO VÉLEZ, SEBANCO POPULAR DE CRETARIA AUXILIAR.

PUERTO RICO, INC. Demandante V.

EDWARD SAEZ GARCÍA, SHARON DENISE FIGUEROA VAZQUEZ Y LA SOCIEDAD LEGAL DE GANANCIALES COMPUESTA POR AMBOS, JOHN DOE

Demandadas Civil Núm.: CG2021CV02829.

Sobre: CANCELACIÓN DE PAGARÉ EXTRAVIADO POR LA VÍA JUDICIAL. EMPLAZAMIENTO POR EDICTO. ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA, PRESIDENTE DE LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS, ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO, S.S.

A: JOHN DOE

LEGAL NOTICE ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA SALA SUPERIOR DE CAROLINA

WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, NOT INDIVIDUALLY BUT SOLELY AS TRUSTEE FOR FINANCE OF AMERICA STRUCTURED SECURITIES ACQUISITION TRUST 2018-HB1 Demandante Vs.

EUGENIO GARCIA DIAZ T/C/C EUGENIO GARCIA POR SI Y EN CUANTO

26 A LA CUOTA VIUDAL USUFRUCTUARIA; SUCESION NIDIA MARIA JIMENEZ ROSADO T/C/C NYDIA MARIA JIMENEZ ROSADO T/C/C NIDIA M. JIMENEZ ROSADO T/C/C NYDIA M. JIMENEZ ROSADO T/C/C NIDIA JIMENEZ ROSADO T/C/C NYDIA M. JIMENEZ ROSADO T/C/C NIDIA MARIA JIMENEZ T/C/C NYDIA MARIA JIMENEZ T/C/C NIDIA M. JIMENEZ T/C/C NYDIA M. JIMENEZ T/C/C NIDIA JIMENEZ T/C/C NYDIA JIMENEZ T/C/C NYDIA COMPUESTA POR EUGENIO GARCIA JIMENEZ, MARIA CRISTINA GARCIA JIMENEZ, JOHN DOE Y JANE DOE; ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMERICA; CENTRO DE RECAUDACION DE INGRESOS MUNICIPALES Demandados Civil Núm.: CA2019CV01723.

(402). Sobre: EJECUCIÓN DE HIPOTECA. EDICTO DE SUBASTA. ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA, EL PRESIDENTE DE LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS, EL ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO, SS.

A: LA PARTE DEMANDADA, AL (A LA) SECRETARIO(A) DE HACIENDA DE PUERTO RICO Y AL PÚBLICO GENERAL:

Certifico y Hago Constar: Que en cumplimiento con el Mandamiento de Ejecución de Sentencia que me ha sido dirigido por el (la) Secretario(a) del Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala Superior de Carolina, en el caso de epígrafe, venderé en pública subasta y al mejor postor, por separado, de contado y por moneda de curso legal de los Estados Unidos de América y/o Giro Postal y Cheque Certificado, en mi oficina ubicada en el Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala de Carolina, el 19 DE ENERO DE 2022, A LAS 11:30 DE LA MAÑANA, todo derecho título, participación o interés que le corresponda a la parte demandada o cualquiera de ellos en el inmueble hipotecado objeto de ejecución que se describe a continuación: URBANA: Solar marcado con el numero treinta y cinco (35) del Bloque “J” de la Urbanización Metrópolis, localizado en el Barrio Martin Gonzalez del término municipal de Carolina, Puerto Rico, con una cabida superficial de quinientos ochenta y siete punto diecinueve (587.19) metros cuadrados; en lindes por el NORTE, con numero treinta y cuatro (34) en una longitud de veinticinco

punto cero veintiséis (25.026) metros; por el SUR, con la Calle número doce (12) en una longitud de veintitrés punto doscientos sesenta y cuatro (23.264) metros; por el ESTE, con la calle número trece (13) y arco en una longitud de veintitrés punto seiscientos cuarenta y cinco (23.645) metros; y por el OESTE, con los Solares uno (1) y dos (2) en una longitud de veintitrés punto seiscientos siete (23.607) metros. Enclava una casa de concreto y bloques para vivienda. Consta inscrita al folio 95 del tomo 892 de Carolina II, Finca número 35,893, Registro de la Propiedad de Carolina, Sección II. La hipoteca objeto de esta ejecución se encuentra inscrita al folio 180 del tomo 1348 de Carolina II, Registro de la Propiedad de Carolina, Sección II, Inscripción 9ª.

Propiedad localizada en: URB. METROPOLIS, J35 CALLE 13, CAROLINA, PR 00987. Según figuran en la certificación registral, la propiedad objeto de ejecución está gravada por las siguientes cargas anteriores o preferentes: Nombre del Titular: N/A. Suma de la Carga: N/A. Fecha de Vencimiento: N/A. Según figuran en la certificación registral, la propiedad objeto de ejecución está gravada por las siguientes cargas posteriores a la inscripción del crédito ejecutante: Nombre del Titular: Secretario de la Vivienda y Desarrollo Urbano. Suma de la Carga: $285,000.00. Fecha de Vencimiento: 14 de septiembre de 2101. Se entenderá que todo licitador acepta como bastante la titularidad de la propiedad y que todas las cargas y gravámenes anteriores y los preferentes al crédito ejecutante antes descritos, si los hubiere, continuarán subsistentes.

El rematante acepta dichas cargas y gravámenes anteriores, y queda subrogado en la responsabilidad de los mismos, sin destinarse a su extinción el precio del remate. Se establece como tipo de mínima subasta la suma de $285,000.00, según acordado entre las partes en el precio pactado en la escritura de hipoteca. De ser necesaria una SEGUNDA SUBASTA por declararse desierta la primera, la misma se celebrará en mi oficina, ubicada en el Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala de Carolina, el 26 DE ENERO DE 2022, A LAS 11:30 DE LA MAÑANA, y se establece como mínima para dicha segunda subasta la suma de $190,000.00, 2/3 partes del tipo mínima establecido originalmente. Si tampoco se produce remate ni adjudicación en la segunda subasta, se establece como mínima para la TERCERA SUBASTA, la suma de $142,500.00, la mitad (1/2) del precio pactado y dicha subasta se celebrará en mi oficina, ubicada en el Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala de Carolina, el 2 DE FEBRERO DE 2022, A LAS

The San Juan Daily Star

Thursday, November 25, 2021

11:30 DE LA MAÑANA. Dicha subasta se llevará a cabo para, con su producto satisfacer a la parte demandante, el importe de la Sentencia dictada a su favor ascendente a la suma de $99,371.00 por concepto de principal, más la suma de $44,214.72 en intereses acumulados al 7 de octubre de 2020 y los cuales continúan acumulándose a razón de 5.060% anual hasta su total y completo pago; más la sumas de $10,941.64 en seguro hipotecario; $1,822.00 en seguro de la propiedad; $440.00 en tasaciones; $440.00 en inspecciones; $3,115.00 en adelantos de costas y honorarios; más la cantidad de 10% del pagare original en la suma de $28,500.00, para gastos, costas y honorarios de abogado, esta última habrá de devengar intereses al máximo del tipo legal fijado por la oficina del Comisionado de Instituciones Financieras aplicable a esta fecha, desde este mismo día hasta su total y completo saldo. La venta en pública subasta de la referida propiedad se verificará libre de toda carga o gravamen posterior que afecte la mencionada finca, a cuyo efecto se notifica y se hace saber la fecha, hora y sitio de la PRIMERA, SEGUNDA Y TERCERA SUBASTA, si esto fuera necesario, a los efectos de que cualquier persona o personas con algún interés puedan comparecer a la celebración de dicha subasta.

Se notifica a todos los interesados que las actas y demás constancias del expediente de este caso están disponibles en la Secretaría del Tribunal durante horas laborables para ser examinadas por los (las) interesados (as). Y para su publicación en el periódico The San Juan Daily Star, que es un diario de circulación general en la isla de Puerto Rico, por espacio de dos semanas consecutivas con un intervalo de por lo menos siete (7) días entre ambas publicaciones, así como para su publicación en los sitios públicos de Puerto Rico. Expedido en Carolina, Puerto Rico, hoy 8 de noviembre de 2021.

SAMUEL GONZÁLEZ ISAAC, ALGUACIL REGIONAL #713.

LEGAL NOTICE ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA SALA SUPERIOR DE GUAYNABO

NEWREZ LLC D/B/A SHELLPOINT MORTGAGE SERVICING Demandante V.

ARNALDO LOPEZ LLOPIZ; MADELINE RIVERA RAMOS; LA SOCIEDAD LEGAL DE BIENES GANANCIALES COMPUESTA POR AMBOS; CENTRO DE RECAUDACION

DE INGRESOS MUNICIPALES; UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Demandados Civil Núm.: GB2020CV00646.

Sobre: COBRO DE DINERO Y EJECUCIÓN DE HIPOTECA POR LA VÍA ORDINARIA. EDICTO DE SUBASTA. ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA, EL PRESIDENTE DE LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS, EL ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO, SS.

A: LA PARTE DEMANDADA, AL (A LA) SECRETARIO(A) DE HACIENDA DE PUERTO RICO Y AL PÚBLICO GENERAL:

Certifico y Hago Constar: Que en cumplimiento con el Mandamiento de Ejecución de Sentencia que me ha sido dirigido por el (la) Secretario(a) del Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala Superior de Guaynabo, en el caso de epígrafe procederá a vender en pública subasta al mejor postor en efectivo, cheque gerente, giro postal, cheque certificado en moneda legal de los Estados Unidos de América al nombre del Alguacil del Tribunal de Primera Instancia, en mi oficina ubicada en el Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala de Guaynabo, el 11 DE ENERO DE 2022, A LAS 11:40 DE LA MAÑANA, todo derecho título, participación o interés que le corresponda a la parte demandada o cualquiera de ellos en el inmueble hipotecado objeto de ejecución que se describe a continuación: URBANA: Solar radicado en la Urbanización Terrazas de Guaynabo, situada en el Barrio Santa Rosa de Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, que se describe en el plano de inscripción de la Urbanización con el número 32 de la manzana “D” con un área de solar de 350.00 metros cuadrados. En lindes por el NORTE, con el solar D-10, distancia de 14.00 metros; por el SUR, con la Calle Violeta, distancia de 14.00 metros; por el ESTE, con el solar D-31, distancia de 25.00 metros; y por el OESTE, con paseo peatonal, distancia de 25.00 metros. Finca 19682 INSCRITA AL FOLIO 200 DEL TOMO 439 DE GUAYNABO, REGISTRO DE LA PROPIEDAD DE GUAYNABO. Propiedad localizada en: Urb. Terrazas de Guaynabo, D32 Calla Violeta, Guaynabo, PR 00969. Según figuran en la certificación registral, la propiedad objeto de ejecución está gravada por las siguientes cargas anteriores o preferentes: Nombre del Titular: N/A. Suma de la Carga: N/A. Fecha de Vencimiento: N/A. Según figuran en la certificación registral, la propiedad objeto de ejecución está gravada por las siguientes cargas posteriores a la inscripción del crédito ejecutante: a. AVISO DE DEMANDA con fecha 4 de agosto de 2016 se-

guida en el Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala de Bayamón, en el caso civil número DCD20161739, sobre Cobro de Dinero y Ejecución de Hipoteca; seguido por Ditech Financial LLC FKA Green Tree Servicing LLC, demandante v. Arnaldo López Llopiz; Madeline Rivera Ramos y la Sociedad Legal de Gananciales compuesta por ambos, demandado. Por la misma se reclama el pago de $120,872.51, más otras sumas, correspondiente a la hipoteca relacionada en la inscripción 5ª de esta finca. Anotada el 7 de agosto de 2019 al Tomo Karibe, finca 19682 de Guaynabo, anotación “A”. b. AVISO DE DEMANDA con fecha 16 de octubre de 2020 seguida en el Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala de Guaynabo, en el caso civil número GB2020CV00646, sobre Cobro de Dinero y Ejecución de Hipoteca; seguido por Newrez LLC, h/n/c Shellpoint Mortgage Servicing, demandante v. Arnaldo López Llopiz; Madeline Rivera Ramos y la Sociedad Legal de Gananciales compuesta por ambos, Centro de Recaudaciones de Ingresos Municipales; Estados Unidos de América, demandado. Por la misma se reclama el pago de $120,872.51, más otras sumas, correspondiente a la hipoteca relacionada en la inscripción 5ª de esta finca. Anotada el 7 de diciembre de 2020 al Tomo Karibe, finca 19682 de Guaynabo, anotación “B”. c. EMBARGO FEDERAL contra Arnaldo López, con seguro social xxx-xx-8637, por la suma de $19,858.50. Notificación número 833181111.

Anotado el 15 de diciembre de 2011 al folio 83, asiento 3, del Tomo V de Embargos Federales de Guaynabo. d.

EMBARGO FEDERAL contra Arnaldo López, con seguro social xxx-xx-8637, por la suma de $5,821.88. Notificación número 884455012. Anotado el 9 de agosto de 2012 al folio 158, asiento 4, del Tomo V de Embargos Federales de Guaynabo. e. EMBARGO FEDERAL contra Arnaldo López, con seguro social xxx-xx-8637, por la suma de $11,462.38. Notificación número 892012312. Anotado el 19 de agosto de 2012 al folio 170, asiento 4, del Tomo V de Embargos Federales de Guaynabo. f. EMBARGO FEDERAL contra Arnaldo López, con seguro social xxx-xx-8637, por la suma de $12,582.37. Notificación número 431732821.

Anotado el7 de junio de 2021 al Tomo Karibe. Se entenderá que todo licitador acepta como bastante la titularidad de la propiedad y que todas las cargas y gravámenes anteriores y los preferentes al crédito ejecutante antes descritos, si los hubiere, continuarán subsistentes.

El rematante acepta dichas cargas y gravámenes anteriores, y queda subrogado en la responsabilidad de los mismos,

sin destinarse a su extinción el precio del remate. Se establece como tipo mínimo de subasta la suma de $127,200.00, según acordado entre las partes en el precio pactado en la escritura de hipoteca. De ser necesaria una SEGUNDA SUBASTA por declararse desierta la primera, la misma se celebrará en mi oficina, ubicada en el Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala de Guaynabo, el 18 DE ENERO DE 2022, A LAS 11:40 DE LA MAÑANA, y se establece como mínima para dicha segunda subasta la suma de $84,800.00, dos terceras (2/3) partes del tipo mínimo establecido originalmente. Si tampoco se produce remate ni adjudicación en la segunda subasta, se establece como mínima para la TERCERA SUBASTA, la suma de $63,600.00, la mitad (1/2) del precio pactado y dicha subasta se celebrará en mi oficina, ubicada en el Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala de Guaynabo, el 25 DE ENERO DE 2022, A LAS 11:40 DE LA MAÑANA. Dicha subasta se llevará a cabo para, con su producto satisfacer a la parte demandante, el importe de la Sentencia dictada a su favor ascendente a la suma de $137,494.46 de principal, intereses al tipo del 4.25000% anual según ajustado desde el día 1 de octubre de 2017 hasta el pago de la deuda en su totalidad, más la suma de $12,720.00 por concepto de honorarios de abogado y costas autorizadas por el Tribunal, más las cantidades que se adeudan mensualmente por concepto de seguro hipotecario, cargos por demora, y otros adeudados que se hagan en virtud de la escritura de hipoteca. La venta en pública subasta de la referida propiedad se verificará libre de toda carga o gravamen posterior que afecte la mencionada finca, a cuyo efecto se notifica y se hace saber la fecha, hora y sitio de la PRIMERA, SEGUNDA Y TERCERA SUBASTA, si esto fuera necesario, a los efectos de que cualquier persona o personas con algún interés puedan comparecer a la celebración de dicha subasta. Se notifica a todos los interesados que las actas y demás constancias del expediente de este caso están disponibles en la Secretaría del Tribunal durante horas laborables para ser examinadas por los (las) interesados (as).

Y para su publicación en el periódico The San Juan Daily Star, que es un diario de circulación general en la isla de Puerto Rico, por espacio de dos semanas consecutivas con un intervalo de por lo menos siete (7) días entre ambas publicaciones, así como para su publicación en los sitios públicos de Puerto Rico. Expedido en Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, hoy día 2 de noviembre de 2021.

FRANCES TORRES CONTRERAS, ALGUACIL PLACA #325, ALGUACIL DE SUBASTAS,

TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INS- TRO MELÉNDEZ, SECRETATANCIA, CENTRO JUDICIAL RIA AUXILIAR DEL TRIBUNAL. DE GUAYNABO, SALA SUPELEGAL NOTICE RIOR. ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO LEGAL NOTICE DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO GENERAL DE JUSTICIA TRIDE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL BUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANGENERAL DE JUSTICIA TRI- CIA SALA DE BAYAMÓN BUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANORIENTAL BANK CIA SALA DE BAYAMÓN Demandante V.

ORIENTAL BANK

BRAHIAM LINARES VANEGAS, MARIELA BRAHIAM LINARES RIVERA MORALES Y LA VANEGAS, MARIELA SOCIEDAD LEGAL DE RIVERA MORALES Y LA BIENES GANANCIALES SOCIEDAD LEGAL DE POR ESTOS COMPUESTA BIENES GANANCIALES Demandada POR ESTOS COMPUESTA Civil Núm.: BY2021CV04082.

Demandante V.

Demandada Civil Núm.: BY2021CV04082.

Sobre: EJECUCIÓN DE HIPOTECA. ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA, EL PRESIDENTE DE LOS EE.UU., EL ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE P.R., SS. EDICTO.

A: MARIELA RIVERA MORALES, por sí y en representación de la Sociedad Legal de Bienes Gananciales compuesta por esta y su esposo BRAHIAM LINARES VANEGAS. 524 (J-28) Calle Tulipa, Estancias De Tortuguero Vega Baja, PR 00693-3606; 11 Weiss Ter, Raritan, NJ 08869-1628; 2 Mars Dr. Jacksonville, NC 28546-9108; 405 S Pine Island RD Apt 305D, Plantation, FL 33324-3124.

POR LA PRESENTE se le emplaza para que presente al tribunal su alegación responsiva dentro de los 30 días de haber sido diligenciado este emplazamiento, excluyéndose el día del diligenciamiento. Usted deberá presentar su alegación responsiva a través del Sistema Unificado de Manejo y Administración de Casos (SUMAC), al cual puede acceder utilizando la siguiente dirección electrónica: https://unired.ramajudicial. pr, salvo que se represente por derecho propio, en cuyo caso deberá presentar su alegación responsiva en la secretaría del tribunal. Si usted deja de presentar su alegación responsiva dentro del referido término, el tribunal podrá dictar sentencia en rebeldía en su contra y conceder el remedio solicitado en la demanda, o cualquier otro, si el tribunal, en el ejercicio de su sana discreción, lo entiende procedente. Representa a la parte demandante el Lcdo.

Javier Montalvo Cintrón, Delgado & Fernández, LLC, PO Box 11750, Fernández Juncos Station, San Juan, Puerto Rico 00910-1750. Tel. [787] 274-1414. DADA en Bayamón, Puerto Rico, a 17 de noviembre de 2021. LCDA. LAURA I. SANTA SÁNCHEZ, SECRETARIA REGIONAL. KAREN G. CAS-

Sobre: EJECUCIÓN DE HIPOTECA. ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA, EL PRESIDENTE DE LOS EE.UU., EL ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE P.R., SS. EDICTO.

A: BRAHIAM LINARES VANEGAS, por sí y en representación de la Sociedad Legal de Bienes Gananciales compuesta por este y su esposa MARIELA RIVERA MORALES. 524 (J-28) Calle Tulipa, Estancias De Tortuguero Vega Baja, PR 00693-3606; 11 Weiss Ter, Raritan, NJ 08869-1628; 2 Mars Dr. Jacksonville, NC 28546-9108; 405 S Pine Island RD Apt 305D, Plantation, FL 33324-3124.

POR LA PRESENTE se le emplaza para que presente al tribunal su alegación responsiva dentro de los 30 días de haber sido diligenciado este emplazamiento, excluyéndose el día del diligenciamiento. Usted deberá presentar su alegación responsiva a través del Sistema Unificado de Manejo y Administración de Casos (SUMAC), al cual puede acceder utilizando la siguiente dirección electrónica: https://unired.ramajudicial. pr, salvo que se represente por derecho propio, en cuyo caso deberá presentar su alegación responsiva en la secretaría del tribunal. Si usted deja de presentar su alegación responsiva dentro del referido término, el tribunal podrá dictar sentencia en rebeldía en su contra y conceder el remedio solicitado en la demanda, o cualquier otro, si el tribunal, en el ejercicio de su sana discreción, lo entiende procedente. Representa a la parte demandante el Lcdo.

Javier Montalvo Cintrón, Delgado & Fernández, LLC, PO Box 11750, Fernández Juncos Station, San Juan, Puerto Rico 00910-1750. Tel. [787] 274-1414. DADA en Bayamón, Puerto Rico, a 17 de noviembre de 2021. LCDA. LAURA I. SANTA SÁNCHEZ, SECRETARIA REGIONAL. KAREN G. CASTRO MELÉNDEZ, SECRETARIA AUXILIAR DEL TRIBUNAL.

The San Juan Daily Star

Thursday, November 25, 2021

27

Bill Virdon, Clemente teammate then quiet manager of 4 MLB teams, dies at 90

By RICHARD GOLDSTEIN

B

ill Virdon was one of the major leagues’ smoothest-fielding center fielders of the 1950s and early ’60s. He managed four teams, winning division championships with the Pittsburgh Pirates and Houston Astros and bringing a surprising New York Yankees team to the brink of one. But many remember him most for hitting a seemingly routine ground ball that was anything but: It sent the Pirates on their way to a dramatic Game 7 victory over the Yankees in the 1960 World Series.

Often described as “bespectacled,” given the relative rarity of ballplayers with eyeglasses, Virdon, who died at 90 on Tuesday, was the National League’s rookie of the year with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1955 but spent almost his entire career with the Pirates, playing alongside future Hall of Fame right fielder Roberto Clemente. The Pirates announced Virdon’s death, in Springfield, Missouri.

Bill Mazeroski’s walk-off home run gave the Pirates the 1960 World Series championship. But Virdon played an important role in that decisive game, at Forbes Field, as the beneficiary of a bad hop. The Pirates were trailing by three runs in the eighth inning with a runner on first and nobody out when Virdon, a lefthanded batter, hit a ground ball to shortstop Tony Kubek off lefty Bobby Shantz.

“Shantz was tough on lefty hitters, and he was tough on me, so I didn’t like facing him,” Virdon told Victor Debs Jr. for the oral history “This Was Part of Baseball Then” (2002). “But he hung a curveball, and I hit it hard, but it was right at Kubek. I said to myself, ‘Uh-oh, perfect double-play ball.’”

However, the baseball bounced up as Kubek was about to snare it, hitting him in the throat. It was scored a single, and Pittsburgh had runners on first and second.

The Pirates scored five runs in that inning, including a climactic three-run homer by catcher Hal Smith, taking a 9-7 lead. The Yankees tied the game in the ninth, but the Pirates won the World Series on Mazeroski’s homer in the bottom of the inning off Ralph Terry.

Bill Virdon, the manager of the Houston Astros, extended a hand to the pinch-runner Rafael Landestoy after Landestoy scored the winning run in the 11th inning of Game 3 of the National League Championship Series against the Philadelphia Phillies in 1980.

The Astros were one of four major league teams Virdon managed.

In Game 4, at Yankee Stadium, Virdon had driven in two runs and made a leaping grab of a drive by the Yankees’ Bob Cerv, crashing into the bleacher wall in right center. The Pirates won, 3-2, tying the Series. Virdon won a Gold Glove award for his fielding in 1962.

He remained with the Pirates through 1965, managed for the Mets in the minors, then returned to Pittsburgh as a player-coach in 1968, his last playing season. He became the Pirates’ manager in 1972, taking them to the National League East title, but was fired late the following season.

In 1974, Virdon was managing the Yankees but not as anyone’s first choice.

The Yankees originally hired Dick Williams, who had quit the Oakland A’s organization after taking the team to a second consecutive World Series cham-

pionship in 1973. Williams had been angered by A’s owner Charlie Finley’s meddling. On the Yankees he was to replace Ralph Houk, who had left to become the Detroit Tigers’ manager.

But the American League voided the deal when Finley and George Steinbrenner, who was completing his first season as the Yankees’ principal owner, could not agree on player compensation to the A’s, who still had Williams under contract. Steinbrenner instead signed Virdon to a one-year deal.

The Yankees had not won a pennant since 1964, but with players including Bobby Murcer, Thurman Munson and Graig Nettles, Virdon kept them in the ’74 division race until the next to last day of the season. He was named the AL manager of the year by the Sporting News.

Virdon received a new two-year

contract after the 1974 season at a time when Steinbrenner was under a two-year suspension for pleading guilty to federal crimes involving illegal contributions to President Richard M. Nixon’s 1972 reelection campaign.

The tempestuous Steinbrenner bristled at what he felt was Virdon’s lack of fire as the Yankees stumbled in midsummer 1975. In late July, although he was not supposed to be involved with running the team, Steinbrenner went to the apartment of Yankees President Gabe Paul and hollered, “Get rid of Virdon!” according to “Steinbrenner: The Last Lion of Baseball” (2010), by Bill Madden. Virdon was fired, and Billy Martin succeeded him in the first of his five stints as Yankees manager.

William Charles Virdon was born June 9, 1931, in Hazel Park, Michigan, to Charles and Bertha Virdon, and grew up in West Plains, Missouri, after his parents returned to their native state. There, his father ran a country store and his mother was a homemaker. He was signed by the Yankees out of Drury College, now university, in Springfield in 1950. When he had trouble with his hitting in the minors, his manager, Harry Craft, suggested he wear glasses. His hitting improved, so he kept them on.

Virdon was traded to the Cardinals organization in April 1954 in a deal bringing future Hall of Fame outfielder Enos Slaughter to the Yankees. Virdon batted .281 in winning rookie of the year honors in 1955, but the Cards sent him to the Pirates in May 1956 when he slumped at the plate. He went on to hit .319 that season and had a career batting average of .267 for 12 major league seasons.

After managing the Pirates and Yankees, Virdon took the 1980 Houston Astros to an NL West title, the first one in their history. He later managed the Montreal Expos.

After his years as a manager, Virdon was a coach for the Astros and the Pirates.

He is survived by his wife, Shirley; his daughters Debbie Virdon Lutes, Linda Virdon Holmes and Lisa Virdon Brown; seven grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.

28

The San Juan Daily Star

Thursday, November 25, 2021

‘I can’t just quit’

By ALANIS THAMES

A

s Sika Henry worked to become the first female African American professional triathlete, she remembered her childhood conversations about race with her family.

Her parents told Henry and her brother, Nile, stories about their paternal grandfather, who was a track and field athlete and football player in the 1920s. Because of segregation, he was not allowed to play in the NFL, and instead pursued a career as a jazz musician.

This memory stuck with Henry. She uses it as motivation in her journey in triathlon, a sport in which few contestants look like her.

“He said to my dad one day, ‘I never thought I’d see the day when Blacks could play professional sport,’” Henry said.

And at times, Henry didn’t know if she would ever compete professionally in her sport, either.

No other African American woman had earned an elite license — which gives triathletes their professional status — in triathlon before Henry, according to USA Triathlon, the sport’s national governing body. She overcame a horrible bicycle crash during a race in 2019. She had to find ways to stay motivated when the coronavirus pandemic shut down racing for a year. After years of pushing herself farther than she ever thought she could go in pursuing her dream, she questioned if it was truly worth it.

“There were times I’m like, ‘Maybe it’s just not supposed to happen for me,’” Henry said earlier this year.

Henry used to hate distance running. She walked on to the track and field team at Tufts University, a Division III school outside Boston, where her main event was the high jump on top of racing in the 200-, 400- and 4x400meters. To train for the 400, Henry’s coach suggested that she run 3 miles sometimes during the week. She would balk at the distance. “I thought that was just so long and painful,” Henry said.

In 2013, though, a breakup left her seeking a distraction, so she signed up for a local sprint triathlon, a beginnerfriendly race consisting of a half-mile swim, a 12.4-mile bike ride and 3.1-mile run.

Henry said she didn’t show any extraordinary promise in that first race. But it was fun. Fun enough that she thought she might want to do it again.

And yet Henry noticed there were almost no other Black people competing alongside her.

“I was just like, ‘Where are they?’” she said.

While other individual sports, like sprinting, have large numbers of African American competitors, triathlon draws little nonwhite participation. As of this year, USA Triathlon said, 13.3% of its annual members are people of color. Less than 2% are Black or African American.

“It’s kind of taboo,” said Dr. Tekemia Dorsey, the only Black female board member of USA Triathlon.

“You’re not going to go to an urban community and see a race or have an opportunity to race,” Dorsey said.

Sika Henry ran the JFK 50 Mile ultramarathon on Saturday in Maryland.

“You might go 30 miles north, east, south or west in a rural or suburban area, and you have triathlon races all over the place. So for minorities, that’s still part of the barrier.”

Henry is only the second Black triathlete in the U.S. to reach professional status. Max Fennell became the first African American triathlete to earn his professional certification in 2014.

To qualify for professional status, triathletes need to either finish as a top-10 amateur at a World Championship event, place in the top five at a USA Triathlon Age Group National event, or finish as a top-three amateur at another qualifying race.

Professionals are eligible for pro prize pools at races and get a path toward other forms of income, like sponsorships.

During her quest to gain professional status, Henry garnered a sponsorship from the shoe company Hoka in a rarity for amateurs in endurance sports.

The circumstances surrounding participation manifest in each of Henry’s races.

“She would be the only one,” said Henry’s mother, Regina Henry, who takes photos at her races. “When you look at the pictures, they would always tell the story. There would be her, and then you would see all white faces around her.”

Creating visibility for Black people in triathlon has driven Henry to push for diversity in the sport, and it’s part of what brought her back to the sport after a gruesome bicycle crash in 2019 left her hospitalized.

During the 2019 Ironman 70.3 Galveston race (a popular middle-distance triathlon race in Texas consisting of 1.2 miles of swimming, 56 miles of cycling and 13.1 miles of running) Henry swerved at about 25 mph to avoid another biker who had merged into her path without looking. She crashed into a roadside barricade. The impact sent her flying into the pavement and knocked her unconscious. She broke her nose and cracked some of her teeth. Doctors used more than 30

stitches on her face. She had road rash all over her body.

“All I could think about was how am I going to put her back together again,” Regina Henry recalled with a quivering voice.

Sika Henry was ready to walk away from triathlon forever.

But after hearing about her crash, young athletes who had been following her story started sending her cards. They sent pictures of triathletes with their faces colored in to represent Black people, to represent them and Henry. She was their role model.

“I didn’t realize No. 1, how closely people had been watching my journey all this time,” Henry said, “and that it was important to them and that it mattered.”

About six months after her crash, Henry competed in Ironman 70.3 in Augusta, Georgia. She finished as the sixth amateur overall.

A couple of weeks later, she competed in the Ironman World Championships in Hawaii, her first full Ironman race (2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike, and 26.2-mile run), crossing the finish line in 11 hours, 35 minutes.

Henry’s first race as a professional triathlete was in September. She said it was one of her worst. The learning curve of racing as a professional against other professionals instead of amateurs was difficult. But getting through her first race as a professional triathlete was a long-awaited relief. On Saturday, Henry competed in the JFK 50 Mile, her first ultramarathon and her final race of the year, as she trains for the 2022 season, which will be her first full season as a professional triathlete.

With this goal now behind her, Henry has time to figure out what she wants next out of her sport.

“Chasing after my pro card was a very self-absorbed endeavor,” Henry said. “And now I can focus on stuff outside of that.”

The San Juan Daily Star

GAMES

29

Thursday, November 25, 2021

Sudoku

How to Play:

Fill in the empty fields with the numbers from 1 through 9.

Sudoku Rules: Every row must contain the numbers from 1 through 9 Every column must contain the numbers from 1 through 9 Every 3x3 square must contain the numbers from 1 through 9

Crossword Crossword #G3J57AU8 Down

1

2

3

4

5

14

6

7

8

Y

P

U

B

S

E

R

O

G

S

R

E

W

M

3. Floater

4. Songwriter Novello

S

U

N

I

M

U

F

E

Z

E

Y

R

I

U

6. Takes exception to

S

R

C

B

H

E

U

K

T

K

E

E

N

S

8. Pool player's stick

Y

R

O

L

G

U

M

S

O

I

F

V

D

T

10. Fireside feeling

A

E

N

I

U

Q

E

M

T

L

B

E

Y

I

12. "Piano Man" singer Billy

R

D

V

O

P

J

S

I

C

K

E

R

E

E

47

18. Famed section of Venice

P

L

E

G

I

O

N

S

W

P

A

T

A

R

51

23. "Pow!" response

D

I

N

R

T

A

M

E

S

V

A

L

S

I

25. Tune or film from way back 26. Like zoo animals

E

W

T

A

C

V

R

A

I

G

I

E

T

V

27. "Remember the ___!"

28. Remnant of the past

M

O

I

P

H

U

B

N

I

N

I

A

B

A

29. Epcot city (abbr.)

31. Long-plumed bird

U

O

O

H

L

O

E

V

T

L

O

L

L

L

33. Less straightforward

S

E

N

I

D

R

A

S

L

A

E

T

S

S

40. Online commerce events

S

D

A

E

R

N

M

A

D

A

M

E

C

G

44. 21st U.S. president's monogram

A

F

L

S

V

P

S

U

T

O

L

I

P

H

18

11

12

13

19

5. Occurrence

21 22 27

28

23

29

34 37

38

42

43

48

49

24

55

7. Tolkien's Treebeard, for one

25

30

31

35

36 39

44

45

46

50

52 54

2. Arm part

10 16

20

26

1. Body's companion

9

15

17

40

57

62

63

64

11. Thrash

13. Small unit of force

24. Radar gun user 58

59

65 68

69

70

71

Across

48. Semi-fictional movie

1. TomKat's kid

5. Having good posture

10. Faith-based acronym on bracelets 14. King of Norway 15. Legal site

16. Popeye's greeting 17. Bare, as land

19. Bupkis, in Brittany

20. Site of an unwanted duty 21. Copious

51. Let out or take in 52. Bits of shells

54. Compete in the ring 57. Boiling mad

62. Certain woodwind 63. Ventilation device

66. Robert of "The Sopranos" 67. Spiral-horned grazer

68. One-third of a war film 69. Not as many

70. Luis's lucky number

22. Free

26. Seasonal song

30. Backyard buildings 34. On one's toes

35. Bay Area cops' org.

36. Salon stuff

71. Large vases

9. Excellent adventurer with Bill

21. Pompous fool

67

60

61

32. Seek to learn

38. Catherine who survived Henry VIII 41. Be indisposed

45. Briefly-needed file's ext.

46. "Good Will Hunting" director Gus 49. Bridal parties

50. Primary cause of male pattern baldness (abbr.)

53. Skills-sharpening piano piece 54. Aluminum wrap

55. Exhaust ending 56. Departs

58. Aleutian island

Abode

Keens

Prays

Tames

Arbiter

Likes

Queue

Vials

Allies

Assumed

Bibliographies Bleat

59. "Dial ____ Murder" (Grace Kelly film)

Equine

61. Genetic materials

Fumes

60. Make, as money 63. Shoe widths

39. On an annual basis 42. Arista rival

33

41

66

37. Horse's pace

32

53

56

Wordsearch

Word Search Puzzle #Q620GN

64. 41, to some

65. Possess, to Burns

43. Play part

Failure Glory

Gores Jester

Legions Lints

Lotus

Madame Minus

Mustier

Navigate Notch Pilot

Pitch

Purred

Ravine Reads

Revere Rivals

Sardines

Unconventional Wilder Windy

Wooed Yeast

Sicker

Smoky

Speeds Steals

47. Draining gadget

Answers on page 30 Copyright © Puzzle Baron November 23, 2021 - Go to www.Printable-Puzzles.com for Hints and Solutions!

Copyright © Puzzle Baron November 23, 2021 - Go to www.Printable-Puzzles.com for Hints and Solutions!

HOROSCOPE Aries

30

(Mar 21-April 20)

A planetary shift today suggests that the mood can become lighter and brighter, after a time of intense emotions. With expressive Mercury moving into adventure-seeking Sagittarius, your quest for something different, such as a trip or life-enhancing opportunity, ramps-up. A desire to experience out-of-the-ordinary ideas and places Aries, could inspire you to consider your options.

Taurus

(April 21-May 21)

Gemini

(May 22-June 21)

Do you or another have an agenda? A discussion could fail to reach a solution if you’re both keeping things hidden. Would it be so bad if you were honest? A lunar tie to Pluto suggests it can bring a positive turnaround. But as the Moon moves into sunny Leo, the mood might warm up, and whatever was discussed earlier may be seen in a new and more forgiving light, Taurus.

As lively Mercury your ruler moves into Sagittarius, it can inspire some fascinating conversations, suggesting that an idea, if acted upon, could set the forces of destiny in motion. If you’ve held back from talking to someone you admire, you may feel more courageous about doing so. And being bold socially and romantically, might reward you in positive ways the more you do it.

Cancer

The San Juan Daily Star

Thursday, November 25, 2021

(June 22-July 23)

Libra

(Sep 24-Oct 23)

Should you follow a more independent path or tow the family line? You may be busy weighing your options concerning an idea that could set you apart from those you’re closest to. This might be a turning point for you Libra, as key influences signal that you have your own life to live and can’t always be around, however much others want this. You’ll just have to put your foot down.

Scorpio

(Oct 24-Nov 22)

If aspects of life have seemed to be going nowhere, then it may be down to a pattern of thinking that is keeping you stuck, Scorpio. Are you certain that no improvement is possible? With the energy of Venus now in your sector of talk and thought, new possibilities can begin to bubble up the more you’re willing to mingle. Conversations could open your mind to fresh opportunities.

Sagittarius

(Nov 23-Dec 21)

Capricorn

(Dec 22-Jan 20)

As deal-maker Mercury enters your sign after a long stay in a more private zone, it arrives with ideas that you have likely been dreaming up over the past weeks. Now is the time to share them and get the support you need to make them happen. But you’ll also be eager to reach out and connect, Archer. Feel in the party mood? If you organize it yourself, it’s bound to be awesome.

Your relationships can bring out the best in you, but might also reveal exactly where something needs to shift. Are you expecting too much, or do you feel like withdrawing? The Moon’s face-off with Pluto suggests you may even notice a bit of both. Some discussion could certainly help, and as you continue to talk things over Cancer, you’ll soon find a healing solution to this.

As capricious Mercury moves into Sagittarius and your spiritual zone, you’ll be intrigued by your dreams and by what makes you tick. Getting to know yourself better, could help you tap into inner strengths and hidden talents. And if you want to expand your range of options and have a bigger impact on the world, then quiet reflection may give you a greater sense of your destiny.

Leo

Aquarius

(July 24-Aug 23)

The emphasis on your work and lifestyle zone continues, and upbeat Venus here encourages you to follow your heart. What you’re considering may take you into new territory, and yet if you research it, you’ll find it is very doable. Don’t forget to take time out though. A new hobby could be so much fun you’ll wonder how you ever managed without it, as it totally revitalizes you.

Virgo

(Aug 24-Sep 23)

Inquisitive Mercury your ruler, moves into your home zone from today, and can see you taking a step back and mulling over aspects of your life from a more personal perspective. Whatever you plan now could fire up your imagination, and perhaps see you travelling or seeking new diversions. Thinking of starting a home business, Virgo? Now is the time to research your ideas.

(Jan 21-Feb 19)

The people you connect with socially could broaden your mind, and encourage you to take on board new interests. The more mixing and mingling you do, the more fascinating life will become. Whether you chat on social media or in real life, there are benefits to be gained from deepening new friendships, but also being willing to experiment with a range of activities.

Pisces

(Feb 20-Mar 20)

As talkative Mercury joins the Sun in upbeat Sagittarius, there is a strong emphasis on your ambitions and goals. You’ll be in the mood to uncover opportunities and information that can help you achieve more. This is not the time to stick with what you know, but to branch out and be adventurous. Dare to step into new territory, as it could be the best thing you’ve done in a while.

Answers to the Sudoku and Crossword on page 29

Thursday, November 25, 2021

31

CARTOONS

Herman

Speed Bump

Frank & Ernest

BC

Scary Gary

Wizard of Id

For Better or for Worse

The San Juan Daily Star

Ziggy

32

Thursday, November 25, 2021

The San Juan Daily Star